2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Elk Grove, 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 Elk Grove?
- Santa Maria is 21.6% more expensive than Elk Grove.

Which city has more affordable housing, Santa Maria or Elk Grove?
- Santa Maria housing costs are 13.0% less expensive than Elk Grove housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Elk Grove or is Health Care more affordable in Santa Maria.
- Health related expenses are 8.8% more in Santa Maria.
 Elk Grove, CASanta Maria, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock154.7100
 Food & Groceries106.2  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock113.2100
 Housing193.4  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$565,100$338,100
 Utilities95  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock95.2100
 Miscellaneous129.2  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Elk Grove    15 Reviews

I grew up in the area around Elk Grove and it was a very small rural town up to the year 2000. We moved to ELk grove in 2009 and commuted to work in Sacramento. At  More

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Elk Grove is a very diverse city. A long time ago it use to be very white. Now the white population is about 40%, then next majority race are Asian, then Hispanic,  More

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Over 11 years ago

Our neighborhood is o.k. but it is expensive to live here and the air is oppressive during the summer when it gets hot for a week or more. Days over 95 and nights of 75.  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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