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

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Santa Maria or is it cheaper to live in Decorah?
- Santa Maria is 82.6% more expensive than Decorah.

Which city has more affordable housing, Santa Maria or Decorah?
- Santa Maria housing costs are 139.9% more expensive than Decorah housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Decorah or is Health Care more affordable in Santa Maria.
- Health related expenses are 11.5% less in Santa Maria.
 Decorah, IASanta Maria, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock154.7100
 Food & Groceries98.0  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock113.2100
 Housing70.1  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$565,100$338,100
 Utilities101  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock95.2100
 Miscellaneous105.1  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Decorah    3 Reviews

ridiculously expensive housing for such a small town. The wages in the town do not even remotely compensate for the high cost of housing. Average housing prices start  More

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Over 15 years ago

I have been a resident of Decorah, IA for 26 years. Decorah is located in the northeast corner of Iowa. When we entertain out of town guests they always comment how  More

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Over 15 years ago

This college has the most extensive music program of any liberal arts college around, has a strong connection to public radio, and Decorah is reputed to be a lovely  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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