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→Salem
Salem is the Oregon state capital, smaller and quieter than Portland (less than an hour north), with the Willamette River running through downtown and the surrounding Willamette Valley producing some of the best Pinot Noir in the world. The state capitol is topped by a gold-leaf pioneer statue. Cherry blossoms line the riverfront every spring. Affordable and underrated.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$3,352/mo
$1,642/mo
$1,710/mo less than Santa Maria (104%)
Median home price
Median home price
$1.1M
$452k
$607k less than Santa Maria
State income tax
State income tax
9.3%
8.8%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$4,206/mo
$5,962/mo
Salem has $1,756/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
201 days
136 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
1 days
days below 20°F per year
Santa Maria edges ahead on pleasant days, but both cities have comparable comfort overall.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
59 / 100
69 / 100
10.0 pts ahead of Santa Maria
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
2 routes
0 routes
Metro size
Metro size
441k metro
437k metro
the verdict
1
Santa Maria
categories won
5
Salem
categories won
Salem wins this comparison, leading on money and lifestyle.
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