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→Fayetteville
Fayetteville's life revolves around Fort Liberty (recently renamed from Fort Bragg), one of the largest military installations in the world. The Cape Fear River runs past, the airborne and special operations museum is excellent, and the food scene reflects the international military families that cycle through. Southern, military, and friendly. Quieter than the big NC cities.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$3,352/mo
$1,477/mo
$1,875/mo less than Santa Maria (127%)
Median home price
Median home price
$1.1M
$258k
$801k less than Santa Maria
State income tax
State income tax
9.3%
4.5%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$4,206/mo
$6,481/mo
Fayetteville has $2,275/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
193 days
144 fewer than Santa Maria
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
0 days
14 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
0 days
3 days
days below 20°F per year
Fayetteville has 14 more days above 95°F each year than Santa Maria.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
59 / 100
51 / 100
8.0 pts behind Santa Maria
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
2 routes
4 routes
Metro size
Metro size
441k metro
392k metro
the verdict
3
Santa Maria
categories won
4
Fayetteville
categories won
Fayetteville wins on money. Santa Maria has the edge on weather and lifestyle.
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