2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Altoona, PA vs Santa Maria, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Santa Maria or is it cheaper to live in Altoona?
- Santa Maria is 100.4% more expensive than Altoona.

Which city has more affordable housing, Santa Maria or Altoona?
- Santa Maria housing costs are 350.9% more expensive than Altoona housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Altoona or is Health Care more affordable in Santa Maria.
- Health related expenses are 28.5% more in Santa Maria.
 Altoona, PASanta Maria, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock154.7100
 Food & Groceries97.4  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock113.2100
 Housing37.3  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$565,100$338,100
 Utilities98  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock95.2100
 Miscellaneous94.7  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Altoona    11 Reviews

Sun rises and sets over 2000+ ft. mountains, which does seem to shorten your summer days. It gets hot and humid in the summer, with not a lot of wind or airflow,  More

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Over 5 years ago

Though the climate in Altoona is cold in the Winter, it does often get less snow than Western Pennsylvania because of the Allegheny Front mountain range just to the west  More

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I grew up in Hollidaysburg near Altoona. The city has had its ups and downs throughout the years but all in all I think that central PA has the most beautiful scenery  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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