2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Gulf Shores, AL vs Santa Maria, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Santa Maria or is it cheaper to live in Gulf Shores?
- Santa Maria is 63.7% more expensive than Gulf Shores.

Which city has more affordable housing, Santa Maria or Gulf Shores?
- Santa Maria housing costs are 44.8% more expensive than Gulf Shores housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Gulf Shores or is Health Care more affordable in Santa Maria.
- Health related expenses are 2.0% less in Santa Maria.
 Gulf Shores, ALSanta Maria, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock154.7100
 Food & Groceries100.0  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock113.2100
 Housing116.2  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$565,100$338,100
 Utilities98  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock95.2100
 Miscellaneous84.4  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Gulf Shores    6 Reviews

Over 4 years ago

Owned a place there for 20 years and spend a few weeks each season there. Heading back in a few weeks! Lows: Spotty internet for work. Saturday traffic. Hurricanes.  More

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I know that there are a few people out there that would just as soon throw rotten tomatoes at me for saying what I’m about to say, but I hate, hate, HATE living in Gulf  More

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Over 14 years ago

Gulf Shores offers many sunny days, compared to the rest of Baldwin County.  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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