$100k a year, no longer in Portland
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 Portland
Santa Maria is the expensive option. The argument has to be entirely about the place, not the price.
a quick ledger.
$3,352/mo
88% more expensive than Portland(vs $1,781/mo)
9.3%
$46/mo more in state tax than Portland
vs 8.75% in Portland
$4,206/mo
$1,617 less than Portland
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$1059k
88% more expensive than Portland
vs $562k in Portland
441k
vs 2.5M in Portland
field notes, weather & such.
337
pleasant days a year, in santa maria.
Portland only logs 178 pleasant days.
Lighter on events: Portland packs Infinity× more into a month.
59/100
32% lower than Portland
vs 87/100 in Portland
Closest outdoor draw: Channel Islands National Park, 73 mi.
87/100
13% lower than Portland
vs 100/100 in Portland
2
96% fewer than Portland
vs 57 nonstops in Portland
in the same ballpark as santa maria:
