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→Madison
Madison sits on an isthmus between two lakes, with the state capitol gleaming on one end and the University of Wisconsin sprawling on the other. The Saturday farmers market around the Capitol Square is one of the best in the country. Cheese curds, brats, and beer are mandatory food groups. The Terrace at Memorial Union, looking out at Lake Mendota, is the unofficial heart of the city in summer.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$3,352/mo
$1,673/mo
$1,679/mo less than Santa Maria (100%)
Median home price
Median home price
$1.1M
$465k
$594k less than Santa Maria
State income tax
State income tax
9.3%
6.3%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$4,206/mo
$6,138/mo
Madison has $1,932/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
147 days
190 fewer than Santa Maria
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
0 days
0 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
0 days
71 days
days below 20°F per year
Madison drops below 20°F on 71 more days per year than Santa Maria.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
59 / 100
67 / 100
8.0 pts ahead of Santa Maria
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
2 routes
11 routes
9 more direct routes than Santa Maria
Metro size
Metro size
441k metro
694k metro
the verdict
2
Santa Maria
categories won
6
Madison
categories won
Madison wins on money and lifestyle. Santa Maria has the edge on weather.
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