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→Las Vegas
Las Vegas is the Strip's neon dream, the desert's quiet edges, and a food scene that has quietly become world-class on the back of all those visiting chefs. Red Rock Canyon is 20 minutes from the Bellagio fountains, which is a useful reset button. Pools open in April and parties go until sunrise. Locals know the best restaurants are always one block off the Strip.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$3,352/mo
$1,731/mo
$1,621/mo less than Santa Maria (94%)
Median home price
Median home price
$1.1M
$451k
$608k less than Santa Maria
State income tax
State income tax
9.3%
0%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$4,206/mo
$6,602/mo
Las Vegas has $2,396/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
210 days
127 fewer than Santa Maria
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
0 days
104 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
0 days
0 days
days below 20°F per year
Las Vegas has 104 more days above 95°F each year than Santa Maria.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
59 / 100
80 / 100
21.0 pts ahead of Santa Maria
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
2 routes
133 routes
131 more direct routes than Santa Maria
Metro size
Metro size
441k metro
2.3M metro
the verdict
2
Santa Maria
categories won
6
Las Vegas
categories won
Las Vegas wins on money and lifestyle. Santa Maria has the edge on weather.
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