on $100k a year, leaving Providence
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
pricier each month than Providence
A real premium for Santa Maria. Worth it only if the city itself is the whole point.
a quick ledger.
$3,352/mo
58% more expensive than Providence(vs $2,127/mo)
9.3%
$276/mo more in state tax than Providence
vs 5.99% in Providence
$4,206/mo
$1,501 less than Providence
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$1059k
101% more expensive than Providence
vs $528k in Providence
441k
vs 1.7M in Providence
field notes, weather & such.
337
pleasant days a year, in santa maria.
Providence only manages 159 of those.
Noticeably quieter than Providence. About 100% fewer events on a typical month.
59/100
6% lower than Providence
vs 63/100 in Providence
Closest outdoor draw: Channel Islands National Park, 73 mi.
87/100
9% lower than Providence
vs 96/100 in Providence
2
88% fewer than Providence
vs 17 nonstops in Providence
if santa maria appeals, also worth a look:
