01 · the cities
Santa Maria
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.
full dispatch→Evansville
Evansville sits on a horseshoe bend of the Ohio River in the southwestern corner of Indiana, closer to Memphis than to Indianapolis in feel. The Mesker Park Zoo is a sleeper good time. The University of Evansville and University of Southern Indiana keep college energy in town. River history, Cajun and Southern food influences, and a friendly Midwest pace. Cheap and easy.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$3,352/mo
$1,075/mo
$2,277/mo less than Santa Maria (212%)
Median home price
Median home price
$1.1M
$222k
$837k less than Santa Maria
State income tax
State income tax
9.3%
3.0%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$4,206/mo
$7,008/mo
Evansville has $2,802/mo more gross after rent at $100k
Gross left after rent reflects state income tax but not federal, based on $100k salary. Enter your salary to find your ideal city.
03 · the weather
Pleasant days/yr
Pleasant days/yr
337 days
184 days
153 fewer than Santa Maria
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
0 days
2 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
0 days
21 days
days below 20°F per year
Evansville drops below 20°F on 21 more days per year than Santa Maria.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
59 / 100
54 / 100
5.0 pts behind Santa Maria
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
2 routes
4 routes
Metro size
Metro size
441k metro
271k metro
the verdict
3
Santa Maria
categories won
4
Evansville
categories won
Evansville wins on money. Santa Maria has the edge on weather and lifestyle.
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