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

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Santa Maria or is it cheaper to live in Clearlake?
- Santa Maria is 47.9% more expensive than Clearlake.

Which city has more affordable housing, Santa Maria or Clearlake?
- Santa Maria housing costs are 137.9% more expensive than Clearlake housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Clearlake or is Health Care more affordable in Santa Maria.
- Health related expenses are 7.1% less in Santa Maria.
 Clearlake, CASanta Maria, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock154.7100
 Food & Groceries101.8  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock113.2100
 Housing70.7  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$565,100$338,100
 Utilities111  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock95.2100
 Miscellaneous109.7  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Clearlake    8 Reviews

Jeff · 

I just recently moved here to clearlake park Ca, and I think its gorgeous. The Bird watching is phenomenal. There are thousands of Pelicans and Bald eagles, blue  More

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Over 15 years ago

Look, I agree with many posters here who say Clearlake is beautiful, the way of life is slower paced and relaxed, and the air quality is good. For 2008-09 I lived and  More

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You just made yourself sound like an arrogant fool. Poverty and ignorance do not necessarily go hand in hand. Just because they embrace a simple lifestyle and you have  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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