2026 Compare Cities Overview:
Castro Valley, CA vs Santa Barbara, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Santa Barbara older or younger than people in Castro Valley?
- The Median Age in Santa Barbara is 3.3 years younger than in Castro Valley.

Are housing costs cheaper in Santa Barbara or Castro Valley?
- Santa Barbara housing costs are 45.6% more expensive than Castro Valley housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Santa Barbara or Castro Valley?
- The average commute for residents of Santa Barbara is 17.0 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Castro Valley.

Things to do in Castro Valley?
Castro Valley, California is a thriving community located in the heart of Alameda County. This vibrant city offers plenty for visitors to explore such as historic Redwood Canyon or one of many popular restaurants. Residents here also take advantage of all the outdoor activities available at Lake Chabot Regional Park, Cull Canyon Regional Park, and Castro Valley Community Park. With its excellent school systems, thriving businesses, and numerous recreational opportunities, it's no wonder why so many people choose to make Castro Valley their home.

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.

 Castro Valley, CASanta Barbara, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock89,132329,725,481
 Median Income$124,203  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock39.138.4
 Avg. Home Price$1,047,800  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock4.1%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time34.12  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Castro Valley    7 Reviews

CURMUDGEON - THANK YOU for your post. The most important part of your comment is your second paragraph. "Hodge-Podge" is the correct word for a lot of Castro  More

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Over 12 years ago

Kind of rural but close to Oakland and San  More

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Castro Valley is the largest unincorporated "city" in the Bay Area. Over the years, several attempts have been made to incorporate, but they have all been defeated at  More

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Reviews for Santa Barbara    51 Reviews

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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Over 5 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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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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