with $100k coming in, swapping out of Austin
changea dispatch from
santa maria
CA
34.95°N
120.44°W
Santa Maria has its own style of barbecue (tri-tip cooked over red oak with pinquito beans and salsa), which is a legitimate regional tradition that locals will fight you about. The surrounding Santa Maria Valley is becoming serious wine country (especially Pinot Noir and Chardonnay). It's quieter and more affordable than its central coast neighbors. The Pacific is right there.
in our guides
the verdict
the monthly cost of moving past Austin
Santa Maria costs noticeably more than Austin. You'd be paying for Santa Maria itself, not for breathing room around it.
a quick ledger.
$3,352/mo
112% more expensive than Austin(vs $1,583/mo)
9.3%
$775/mo more in state tax than Austin
vs 0% in Austin
$4,206/mo
$2,544 less than Austin
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$1059k
144% more expensive than Austin
vs $433k in Austin
441k
vs 2.5M in Austin
field notes, weather & such.
337
pleasant days a year, in santa maria.
Austin only manages 170 of those.
Austin hosts Infinity× more events.
59/100
5% higher than Austin
vs 56/100 in Austin
Closest outdoor draw: Channel Islands National Park, 73 mi.
87/100
12% lower than Austin
vs 99/100 in Austin
2
95% fewer than Austin
vs 42 nonstops in Austin
cities that play in santa maria's register:
