same $100k income, fresh start from Salem
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 Salem
Santa Maria is the expensive option. The argument has to be entirely about the place, not the price.
a quick ledger.
$3,352/mo
104% more expensive than Salem(vs $1,642/mo)
9.3%
$46/mo more in state tax than Salem
vs 8.75% in Salem
$4,206/mo
$1,756 less than Salem
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$1059k
134% more expensive than Salem
vs $452k in Salem
441k
vs 437k in Salem
field notes, weather & such.
337
pleasant days a year, in santa maria.
Salem only logs 201 pleasant days.
Lighter on events: Salem packs Infinity× more into a month.
59/100
14% lower than Salem
vs 69/100 in Salem
Closest outdoor draw: Channel Islands National Park, 73 mi.
87/100
1% lower than Salem
vs 88/100 in Salem
2
0% fewer than Salem
vs 0 nonstops in Salem
if santa maria appeals, also worth a look:
