with $100k coming in, swapping out of Charleston
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 Charleston
Santa Maria is the expensive option. The argument has to be entirely about the place, not the price.
a quick ledger.
$3,352/mo
69% more expensive than Charleston(vs $1,987/mo)
9.3%
$233/mo more in state tax than Charleston
vs 6.5% in Charleston
$4,206/mo
$1,599 less than Charleston
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$1059k
145% more expensive than Charleston
vs $432k in Charleston
441k
vs 849k in Charleston
field notes, weather & such.
337
pleasant days a year, in santa maria.
Charleston barely cracks 212 pleasant ones.
Charleston hosts Infinity× more events.
59/100
12% lower than Charleston
vs 67/100 in Charleston
Closest outdoor draw: Channel Islands National Park, 73 mi.
87/100
5% lower than Charleston
vs 92/100 in Charleston
2
90% fewer than Charleston
vs 20 nonstops in Charleston
neighbors of santa maria on the map of tradeoffs:
