same $100k income, fresh start from Montgomery
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 Montgomery
A real premium for Santa Maria. Worth it only if the city itself is the whole point.
a quick ledger.
$3,352/mo
144% more expensive than Montgomery(vs $1,376/mo)
9.3%
$358/mo more in state tax than Montgomery
vs 5% in Montgomery
$4,206/mo
$2,335 less than Montgomery
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$1059k
400% more expensive than Montgomery
vs $212k in Montgomery
441k
vs 385k in Montgomery
field notes, weather & such.
337
pleasant days a year, in santa maria.
Montgomery only manages 181 of those.
100% fewer events than Montgomery. The pace eases up.
59/100
34% higher than Montgomery
vs 44/100 in Montgomery
Closest outdoor draw: Channel Islands National Park, 73 mi.
87/100
43% higher than Montgomery
vs 61/100 in Montgomery
2
33% fewer than Montgomery
vs 3 nonstops in Montgomery
same energy as santa maria, different zip code:
