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

Santa Clara

California
307
VS

Santa Maria

California
137

Santa Clara is 124% more expensive than Santa Maria.

$2,985/mo ↑ 62%
Median Rent
$1,842/mo ↓ 38%
$173,670/yr ↑ 105%
Median Income
$84,617/yr ↓ 51%
$1,527,900 ↑ 220%
Home Value
$478,200 ↓ 69%
$3,051/mo ↑ 71%
Owner Costs
$1,789/mo ↓ 41%
129,239
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

20.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Clara, CA and Santa Maria, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 307 and 137 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,143/month cheaper in Santa Maria, saving renters about $13,716/year.

Median household income is $89,053/year higher in Santa Clara. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Clara is $1,527,900 compared to $478,200 in Santa Maria.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Clara vs Santa Maria — common questions

Is Santa Clara 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 307 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Clara and Santa Maria?
Median rent in Santa Clara is $2,985/month and in Santa Maria it's $1,842/month — a difference of $1,143/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Clara or Santa Maria?
Median household income is $173,670 in Santa Clara and $84,617 in Santa Maria. Median household income is $89,053/year higher in Santa Clara.
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 Santa Clara or Santa Maria?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Clara has a cost index of 307 with median rent of $2,985/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 Santa Clara details → View Santa Maria details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Santa Clara and Santa Maria

Santa Clara vs. Carrollton Santa Clara vs. Fargo Santa Clara vs. New Haven Santa Clara vs. Norman Santa Clara vs. Sterling Heights Santa Clara vs. Lewisville 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