2025 Compare Cities Education:
Gulf Shores, AL vs Santa Maria, CA

Change Cities
Highlights
- Santa Maria spends 28.7% more per student than Gulf Shores.
- The Student Teacher Ratio is 18.5% higher in Santa Maria than in Gulf Shores. (lower means fewer students in each classroom).
- Santa Maria had 34.8% fewer residents who had graduated High School compared to Gulf Shores
 Gulf Shores, ALSanta Maria, CAUnited States
 Expend. per Student  Unlock$16,705$15,905
 Educ. Expend. per Student$10,640  Unlock$13,142
 Instr. Expend. per Student  Unlock$7,862$7,999
 Pupil/Teacher Ratio17.73  Unlock16.23
 Students per Librarian  Unlock123874573
 Students per Counselor388  Unlock530
 Grade School Educ.  Unlock27.8%4.8%
 Some High School Educ.3.0%  Unlock6.3%
 High School Educ.  Unlock62.2%88.9%
 Some College Educ.22.2%  Unlock20.0%
 2 yr College Grad.  Unlock7.2%8.7%
 4 yr College Grad.34.9%  Unlock33.7%
 Masters Grad.  Unlock2.8%9.3%
 Professional Degree1.8%  Unlock2.2%
 Doctorate Degree  Unlock0.3%1.5%
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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

Over 14 years ago

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

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Gulf Shores

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Santa Maria


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.