2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Albany, CA vs Santa Maria, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Santa Maria older or younger than people in Albany?
- The Median Age in Santa Maria is 7.4 years younger than in Albany.

Are housing costs cheaper in Santa Maria or Albany?
- Santa Maria housing costs are 53.6% less expensive than Albany housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Santa Maria or Albany?
- The average commute for residents of Santa Maria is 11.0 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Albany.

Things to do in Albany?
Albany, CA is a pleasant village northeast of Berkeley featuring several spectacular spots such as Memorial Park perfect for exploring or Cerrito Creek Trail ideal for recreational activities; locals gather yearly at the remarkable Cajun & Blues Festival celebrating local culture with music and art.

Things to do in Santa Maria?
Santa Maria, California is a vibrant city located in Santa Barbara County. From its stunning coastal landscape to its various cultural attractions, there's something for everyone in Santa Maria! Visitors can explore outdoor activities like Pismo Beach or takein some culture at places like the Allan Hancock College Museum of Natural History. Plus, those looking for an educational experience can browse sites like the Fremont Theater or the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area. And when they've had their fill of activities, visitors can enjoy a delicious meal from restaurants like Taqueria Don Beto or Mingos Mexican Restaurant. With so much to offer, Santa Maria makes for an unforgettable experience!

 Albany, CASanta Maria, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock109,309329,725,481
 Median Income$113,602  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock29.238.4
 Avg. Home Price$1,218,000  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock11.6%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time31.79  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Albany    4 Reviews

Albany is one of the best places to live not only in California but the USA. Niche 2023 has ranked Albany the number one suburb in California and is consistently in the  More

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Over 13 years ago

Like many places in the Bay Area, there are some mixed-race couples and gay couples in Albany. What is really striking, though, is the number of families where both  More

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Albany was originally built as a railroad workers' town. So the bad news is that nearly every house was originally two, or at most three, bedrooms with one bath, about  More

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Reviews for Santa Maria    12 Reviews

Over 6 years ago

I live in Orcutt which is a town of around 35,000 on the south side of Santa Maria. Santa Maria has, as everyone has noted, the best climate in the world. It never  More

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I have lived in Santa Maria / Orcutt for several years, but it is time to leave. I have no issues with the weather. Our climate is mild and comfortable with no extremes.  More

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The weather is very mild without a huge temperature change with the seasons. The winters are chilly but not cold and the summers are warm but not hot. Of course there  More

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