Home / Select Cities  /  2024 Comparing Santa Barbara, CA vs. Merced, CA

2024 Compare Cities Overview:
Santa Barbara, CA vs Merced, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Merced older or younger than people in Santa Barbara?
- The Median Age in Merced is 9.5 years younger than in Santa Barbara.

Are housing costs cheaper in Merced or Santa Barbara?
- Merced housing costs are 75.5% less expensive than Santa Barbara housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Merced or Santa Barbara?
- The average commute for residents of Merced is 6.4 minutes longer than it is for residents of Santa Barbara.

Things to do in Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara, California has something for everyone - from fantastic beaches to world-class shopping and dining experiences. Visitors can explore Old Mission Santa Barbara or take part in various water activities around Stearns Wharf.

Things to do in Merced?
Merced, California is a mid-sized city located in Central Valley known for its proximity to Yosemite National Park or Lake Yosemite making it an ideal spot for outdoor recreation.

 Santa Barbara, CAMerced, CAUnited States
 Population89,13285,993329,725,481
 Median Income$89,243$52,305$69,021
 Median Age39.129.638.4
 Avg. Home Price$1,525,500$373,000$338,100
 Unemployment Rate4.1%9.3%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time17.1523.5626.38

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Reviews for Santa Barbara    51 Reviews
Kitt · Alhambra, CA
ONCE BEAUTIFUL, NOW RUINED
Over 3 years ago

I moved to Santa Barbara around 23 years ago to study at Brooks, which like most of the Santa Barbara that I knew—has been destroyed. Homelessness, drugs, gangs, high  More

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Griesel · Santa Barbara, CA
Beautiful and friendly
Over 3 years ago

I fell in love with Santa Barbara about thirty years ago and finally moved here a few years ago. Because of the price of homes, it is an expensive place to live. The  More

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John · Santa Barbara, CA
A once great town goes downhill
Over 3 years ago

If you like high crime, paying a $4,500 a month mortgage and crazy high taxes, this is the place for you. It’s too bad because it wasn’t always like this. When I moved  More

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Reviews for Merced    44 Reviews
Sean · Merced, CA
Merced: The Hippest Place in the Valley
Over 4 years ago

Merced is totally slept on - you want a little bit of everything CA has to offer, at a fraction of the price of other CA cities? Merced is the place to go. The town  More

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Nate · Merced, CA
Good place to live
Over 4 years ago

Good place to live. More affordable than most of california. The city is growing and there is alot of business and growth here. Moved from the Bay area years ago and  More

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Nate · Merced, CA
Great place to live. Do not listen to angry people
Over 4 years ago

Great place to live. Lots of progress and changes coming to the city. Great place to raise a family. UC Merced is expanding and businesses are investing. Downtown is  More

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COMPARE COST OF LIVING
Compare Santa Barbara, California Cost of Living vs Merced, California Cost of Living: Taxes, Childcare, Groceries, Health...
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ZIPS IN SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA
93101 93105 93103 93110 93109
ZIPS IN MERCED, CALIFORNIA
95340 95348 95341
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