Cost of Living: San Francisco, CA vs Santa Maria, CA (2026)

San Francisco

California
267
VS

Santa Maria

California
137

San Francisco is 95% more expensive than Santa Maria.

$2,419/mo ↑ 31%
Median Rent
$1,842/mo ↓ 24%
$141,446/yr ↑ 67%
Median Income
$84,617/yr ↓ 40%
$1,380,500 ↑ 189%
Home Value
$478,200 ↓ 65%
$2,620/mo ↑ 46%
Owner Costs
$1,789/mo ↓ 32%
836,321
Population
109,880

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
13.3%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

20.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Francisco, CA and Santa Maria, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 267 and 137 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $577/month cheaper in Santa Maria, saving renters about $6,924/year.

Median household income is $56,829/year higher in San Francisco. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Francisco is $1,380,500 compared to $478,200 in Santa Maria.

Both cities share the same state tax structure since they are in California.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Francisco vs Santa Maria — common questions

Is San Francisco or Santa Maria cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Santa Maria is cheaper to live in with an index of 137 compared to 267 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Francisco and Santa Maria?
Median rent in San Francisco is $2,419/month and in Santa Maria it's $1,842/month — a difference of $577/month.
Which city has higher income, San Francisco or Santa Maria?
Median household income is $141,446 in San Francisco and $84,617 in Santa Maria. Median household income is $56,829/year higher in San Francisco.
How do taxes compare between California and California?
Both cities are in California and share the same state tax rates: 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to San Francisco or Santa Maria?
It depends on your priorities. San Francisco has a cost index of 267 with median rent of $2,419/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 San Francisco details → View Santa Maria details →

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