2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
La Mesa, 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 La Mesa?
- Santa Maria is 0.1% less expensive than La Mesa.

Which city has more affordable housing, Santa Maria or La Mesa?
- Santa Maria housing costs are 33.6% less expensive than La Mesa housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in La Mesa or is Health Care more affordable in Santa Maria.
- Health related expenses are 27.2% more in Santa Maria.
 La Mesa, CASanta Maria, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock154.7100
 Food & Groceries108.9  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock113.2100
 Housing253.3  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$565,100$338,100
 Utilities107  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock95.2100
 Miscellaneous153.3  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for La Mesa    9 Reviews

The same San Diego prices and high taxes, but not the nice weather. 15 degrees hotter than the coast. Save the money and move to AZ if you like the climate in La Mesa.  More

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I now live in Wyoming but I was a third generation San Diegan, my maternal grandmother having been born on Coronado Island in 1894. If you are a new arrival to the  More

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I Need Correct Information I lived there Over 20 Years  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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