2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Las Cruces, NM vs Santa Maria, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Santa Maria or is it cheaper to live in Las Cruces?
- Santa Maria is 85.3% more expensive than Las Cruces.

Which city has more affordable housing, Santa Maria or Las Cruces?
- Santa Maria housing costs are 133.9% more expensive than Las Cruces housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Las Cruces or is Health Care more affordable in Santa Maria.
- Health related expenses are 30.7% more in Santa Maria.
 Las Cruces, NMSanta Maria, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock154.7100
 Food & Groceries94.2  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock113.2100
 Housing71.9  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$565,100$338,100
 Utilities100  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock95.2100
 Miscellaneous92.6  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Las Cruces    50 Reviews

I've lived in Las Cruces for six months now. Before moving here I was in Albuquerque (3 hrs north) for four years and before that I lived in Northern Utah most of my  More

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Over 2 years ago

Las Cruces is a hidden gem! Homes are still affordable, you're not far from bigger city entertainment/transportation, and the scenery in beautiful. It's not all dry  More

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Over 4 years ago

It depends on what you are looking for; for me Las Cruces is and ideal place. I am retired and the kind of places I seek to live in have changed over the years. I have  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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