$100k a year, no longer in Olympia
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 cost of moving past Olympia
Santa Maria is the expensive option. The argument has to be entirely about the place, not the price.
a quick ledger.
$3,352/mo
68% more expensive than Olympia(vs $1,991/mo)
9.3%
$775/mo more in state tax than Olympia
vs 0% in Olympia
$4,206/mo
$2,136 less than Olympia
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$1059k
99% more expensive than Olympia
vs $533k in Olympia
441k
vs 299k in Olympia
field notes, weather & such.
337
pleasant days a year, in santa maria.
Olympia barely cracks 182 pleasant ones.
59/100
26% lower than Olympia
vs 80/100 in Olympia
Closest outdoor draw: Channel Islands National Park, 73 mi.
87/100
1% lower than Olympia
vs 88/100 in Olympia
2
98% fewer than Olympia
vs 90 nonstops in Olympia
same energy as santa maria, different zip code:
