2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Helena, MT vs Santa Barbara, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Santa Barbara older or younger than people in Helena?
- The Median Age in Santa Barbara is 0.8 years younger than in Helena.

Are housing costs cheaper in Santa Barbara or Helena?
- Santa Barbara housing costs are 246.9% more expensive than Helena housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Santa Barbara or Helena?
- The average commute for residents of Santa Barbara is 4.9 minutes longer than it is for residents of Helena.

Things to do in Helena?
Helena MT rests near Lewis and Clark National Forest which makes it an ideal spot for outdoor activities ranging from hiking trails to skiing during winter months plus museums showcasing local history!

Things to do in Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara, California has something for everyone - from fantastic beaches to world-class shopping and dining experiences. Visitors can explore Old Mission Santa Barbara or take part in various water activities around Stearns Wharf.

 Helena, MTSanta Barbara, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock89,132329,725,481
 Median Income$59,712  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock39.138.4
 Avg. Home Price$439,800  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock4.1%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time12.29  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Helena    17 Reviews

I spent 6 months living on a ranch in the Helena valley. This was during the population boom Montana experienced after covid. Helena has some great mountain biking  More

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Over 3 years ago

We transplanted from Southern California 3 years ago and have never looked back! Living in the small unincorporated town of York Montana located in the Helena nation  More

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Over 5 years ago

I lived here for 16 years. It is a great place to grow  More

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Reviews for Santa Barbara    51 Reviews

I moved to Santa Barbara around 23 years ago to study at Brooks, which like most of the Santa Barbara that I knew—has been destroyed. Homelessness, drugs, gangs, high  More

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Over 4 years ago

I fell in love with Santa Barbara about thirty years ago and finally moved here a few years ago. Because of the price of homes, it is an expensive place to live. The  More

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If you like high crime, paying a $4,500 a month mortgage and crazy high taxes, this is the place for you. It’s too bad because it wasn’t always like this. When I moved  More

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