2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Mercer Island, WA vs Santa Barbara, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Santa Barbara older or younger than people in Mercer Island?
- The Median Age in Santa Barbara is 6.4 years younger than in Mercer Island.

Are housing costs cheaper in Santa Barbara or Mercer Island?
- Santa Barbara housing costs are 28.9% less expensive than Mercer Island housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Santa Barbara or Mercer Island?
- The average commute for residents of Santa Barbara is 6.6 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Mercer Island.

Things to do in Mercer Island?
Mercer Island, Washington is a vibrant city located in King County and renowned for its lush parks and nature reserves, thriving restaurants, and small-town charm. It offers plenty of activities for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy, from exploring Luther Burbank Park to kayaking on Lake Washington. Visitors can also explore local attractions such as the Mercer Island Historical Society or shop at nearby malls such as Bellevue Square. With easy access to Seattle and other major cities like Redmond and Kirkland, Mercer Island makes an ideal destination for visitors seeking an unforgettable experience close to urban amenities.

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.

 Mercer Island, WASanta Barbara, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock89,132329,725,481
 Median Income$170,000  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock39.138.4
 Avg. Home Price$2,145,300  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock4.1%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time23.72  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Mercer Island    4 Reviews

Mercer Island is a wonderful family community. It feels much more "small town" than a city even though it has a population of 20,000+. People say hello and watch out  More

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Mercer Island is a suburb of Seattle, located on an island in Lake Washington. The best thing about Mercer Island is its strategically central location relative to the  More

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Mercer Island is a suburb of Seattle, located on an island in Lake Washington. The best thing about Mercer Island is its strategically central location relative to the  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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