Cost of Living: Henderson, NV vs Santa Maria, CA (2026)

Henderson

Nevada
131
VS

Santa Maria

California
137

Henderson is 4% cheaper than Santa Maria.

$1,750/mo ↓ 5%
Median Rent
$1,842/mo ↑ 5%
$88,654/yr ↑ 5%
Median Income
$84,617/yr ↓ 5%
$465,000 ↓ 3%
Home Value
$478,200 ↑ 3%
$1,686/mo ↓ 6%
Owner Costs
$1,789/mo ↑ 6%
324,523
Population
109,880

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
13.3%
6.85%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
0.53%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

23.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Henderson, NV and Santa Maria, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 131 and 137 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $92/month cheaper in Henderson, saving renters about $1,104/year.

Median household income is $4,037/year higher in Henderson. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Henderson is $465,000 compared to $478,200 in Santa Maria.

Nevada has no state income tax, giving Henderson residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Henderson vs Santa Maria — common questions

Is Henderson or Santa Maria cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Henderson is cheaper to live in with an index of 131 compared to 137 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Henderson and Santa Maria?
Median rent in Henderson is $1,750/month and in Santa Maria it's $1,842/month — a difference of $92/month.
Which city has higher income, Henderson or Santa Maria?
Median household income is $88,654 in Henderson and $84,617 in Santa Maria. Median household income is $4,037/year higher in Henderson.
How do taxes compare between Nevada and California?
Nevada has 0% income tax, 6.85% sales tax, and 0.53% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Henderson or Santa Maria?
It depends on your priorities. Henderson has a cost index of 131 with median rent of $1,750/mo, while Santa Maria has a cost index of 137 with rent of $1,842/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Henderson details → View Santa Maria details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Henderson and Santa Maria

Henderson vs. Anaheim Henderson vs. Lexington Henderson vs. Honolulu Henderson vs. Stockton Henderson vs. Cleveland Henderson vs. Corpus Christi Santa Maria vs. Ventura Santa Maria vs. Sugar Land Santa Maria vs. Temecula Santa Maria vs. Greeley Santa Maria vs. Costa Mesa Santa Maria vs. South Fulton