$100k a year, no longer in Colorado Springs
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
more expensive each month than Colorado Springs
A real premium for Santa Maria. Worth it only if the city itself is the whole point.
a quick ledger.
$3,352/mo
93% more expensive than Colorado Springs(vs $1,733/mo)
9.3%
$408/mo more in state tax than Colorado Springs
vs 4.4% in Colorado Springs
$4,206/mo
$2,028 less than Colorado Springs
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$1059k
129% more expensive than Colorado Springs
vs $463k in Colorado Springs
441k
vs 769k in Colorado Springs
field notes, weather & such.
337
pleasant days a year, in santa maria.
Colorado Springs keeps to 184 pleasant days a year.
Lighter on events: Colorado Springs packs Infinity× more into a month.
59/100
17% lower than Colorado Springs
vs 71/100 in Colorado Springs
Closest outdoor draw: Channel Islands National Park, 73 mi.
87/100
9% higher than Colorado Springs
vs 80/100 in Colorado Springs
2
82% fewer than Colorado Springs
vs 11 nonstops in Colorado Springs
same energy as santa maria, different zip code:
