on $100k a year, leaving Birmingham
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 premium over Birmingham
Santa Maria is the expensive option. The argument has to be entirely about the place, not the price.
a quick ledger.
$3,352/mo
138% more expensive than Birmingham(vs $1,407/mo)
9.3%
$358/mo more in state tax than Birmingham
vs 5% in Birmingham
$4,206/mo
$2,304 less than Birmingham
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$1059k
306% more expensive than Birmingham
vs $261k in Birmingham
441k
vs 1.2M in Birmingham
field notes, weather & such.
337
pleasant days a year, in santa maria.
Birmingham only logs 171 pleasant days.
Birmingham hosts Infinity× more events.
59/100
3% lower than Birmingham
vs 61/100 in Birmingham
Closest outdoor draw: Channel Islands National Park, 73 mi.
87/100
10% higher than Birmingham
vs 79/100 in Birmingham
2
90% fewer than Birmingham
vs 20 nonstops in Birmingham
cities that play in santa maria's register:
