with $100k coming in, swapping out of Minneapolis
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 Minneapolis
A real premium for Santa Maria. Worth it only if the city itself is the whole point.
a quick ledger.
$3,352/mo
100% more expensive than Minneapolis(vs $1,679/mo)
9.3%
$121/mo more in state tax than Minneapolis
vs 7.85% in Minneapolis
$4,206/mo
$1,794 less than Minneapolis
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$1059k
166% more expensive than Minneapolis
vs $398k in Minneapolis
441k
vs 3.7M in Minneapolis
field notes, weather & such.
337
pleasant days a year, in santa maria.
Minneapolis only manages 147 of those.
But the calendar thins out: Minneapolis stays Infinity× busier.
59/100
22% lower than Minneapolis
vs 76/100 in Minneapolis
Closest outdoor draw: Channel Islands National Park, 73 mi.
87/100
6% lower than Minneapolis
vs 93/100 in Minneapolis
2
98% fewer than Minneapolis
vs 130 nonstops in Minneapolis
neighbors of santa maria on the map of tradeoffs:
