with $100k coming in, swapping out of New York
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
below New York's monthly cost
A near-tie on cost. What separates Santa Maria is the life around the numbers.
a quick ledger.
$3,352/mo
1% more expensive than New York(vs $3,329/mo)
9.3%
$119/mo less in state tax than New York
vs 10.73% in New York
$4,206/mo
$96 more than New York
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$1059k
43% more expensive than New York
vs $739k in New York
441k
vs 19.5M in New York
field notes, weather & such.
337
pleasant days a year, in santa maria.
New York barely cracks 171 pleasant ones.
Lighter on events: New York packs Infinity× more into a month.
59/100
24% lower than New York
vs 78/100 in New York
Closest outdoor draw: Channel Islands National Park, 73 mi.
87/100
13% lower than New York
vs 100/100 in New York
2
99% fewer than New York
vs 215 nonstops in New York
if santa maria appeals, also worth a look:
