$100k salary, packing up from Philadelphia
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 premium over Philadelphia
A real premium for Santa Maria. Worth it only if the city itself is the whole point.
a quick ledger.
$3,352/mo
79% more expensive than Philadelphia(vs $1,869/mo)
9.3%
$207/mo more in state tax than Philadelphia
vs 6.82% in Philadelphia
$4,206/mo
$1,690 less than Philadelphia
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$1059k
169% more expensive than Philadelphia
vs $393k in Philadelphia
441k
vs 6.2M in Philadelphia
field notes, weather & such.
337
pleasant days a year, in santa maria.
Philadelphia only manages 173 of those.
Philadelphia hosts Infinity× more events.
59/100
14% lower than Philadelphia
vs 69/100 in Philadelphia
Closest outdoor draw: Channel Islands National Park, 73 mi.
87/100
13% lower than Philadelphia
vs 100/100 in Philadelphia
2
98% fewer than Philadelphia
vs 122 nonstops in Philadelphia
same energy as santa maria, different zip code:
