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→Phoenix
Phoenix is sun, saguaros, and a valley so wide you can drive 45 minutes in a straight line and still be in greater Phoenix. The Sonoran Desert blooms wildly in spring, the monsoon storms in late summer are theatrical, and the hiking on Camelback or Piestewa Peak is a sunrise ritual. Pools and shaded patios are basically infrastructure, and the locals have the rhythm of a desert day dialed.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$3,352/mo
$1,739/mo
$1,613/mo less than Santa Maria (93%)
Median home price
Median home price
$1.1M
$458k
$601k less than Santa Maria
State income tax
State income tax
9.3%
2.5%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$4,206/mo
$6,386/mo
Phoenix has $2,180/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
181 days
156 fewer than Santa Maria
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
0 days
133 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
0 days
0 days
days below 20°F per year
Phoenix has 133 more days above 95°F each year than Santa Maria.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
59 / 100
66 / 100
7.0 pts ahead of Santa Maria
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
2 routes
91 routes
89 more direct routes than Santa Maria
Metro size
Metro size
441k metro
5.1M metro
the verdict
2
Santa Maria
categories won
6
Phoenix
categories won
Phoenix wins on money and lifestyle. Santa Maria has the edge on weather.
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