Cost of Living: West Palm Beach, FL vs Santa Maria, CA (2026)

West Palm Beach

Florida
119
VS

Santa Maria

California
137

West Palm Beach is 13% cheaper than Santa Maria.

$1,709/mo ↓ 7%
Median Rent
$1,842/mo ↑ 8%
$69,261/yr ↓ 18%
Median Income
$84,617/yr ↑ 22%
$369,800 ↓ 23%
Home Value
$478,200 ↑ 29%
$1,667/mo ↓ 7%
Owner Costs
$1,789/mo ↑ 7%
119,508
Population
109,880

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
13.3%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

29.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing West Palm Beach, FL and Santa Maria, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 119 and 137 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $133/month cheaper in West Palm Beach, saving renters about $1,596/year.

Median household income is $15,356/year higher in Santa Maria. Home values also differ significantly — the median in West Palm Beach is $369,800 compared to $478,200 in Santa Maria.

Florida has no state income tax, giving West Palm Beach residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

West Palm Beach vs Santa Maria — common questions

Is West Palm Beach or Santa Maria cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, West Palm Beach is cheaper to live in with an index of 119 compared to 137 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between West Palm Beach and Santa Maria?
Median rent in West Palm Beach is $1,709/month and in Santa Maria it's $1,842/month — a difference of $133/month.
Which city has higher income, West Palm Beach or Santa Maria?
Median household income is $69,261 in West Palm Beach and $84,617 in Santa Maria. Median household income is $15,356/year higher in Santa Maria.
How do taxes compare between Florida and California?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to West Palm Beach or Santa Maria?
It depends on your priorities. West Palm Beach has a cost index of 119 with median rent of $1,709/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 West Palm Beach details → View Santa Maria details →

More Comparisons

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