2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Mesa, AZ vs Santa Barbara, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Santa Barbara older or younger than people in Mesa?
- The Median Age in Santa Barbara is 2.5 years older than in Mesa.

Are housing costs cheaper in Santa Barbara or Mesa?
- Santa Barbara housing costs are 258.2% more expensive than Mesa housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Santa Barbara or Mesa?
- The average commute for residents of Santa Barbara is 7.7 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Mesa.

Things to do in Mesa?
Mesa, Arizona is a vibrant city filled with activities and attractions for all ages. Visit the Arizona Museum of Natural History or take in a show at the Hohokam Stadium. Head out to Usery Mountain Regional Park and explore some of the most stunning views in Arizona, or stay downtown and experience Mesa's culture and nightlife. Whether you're looking for outdoor recreation, history, culture, or just a relaxing retreat from city life, Mesa is sure to provide it all!

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.

 Mesa, AZSanta Barbara, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock89,132329,725,481
 Median Income$65,725  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock39.138.4
 Avg. Home Price$425,900  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock4.1%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time24.84  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Mesa    61 Reviews

Mesa is a really good city despite some trouble with Superstition Springs and the failure that is Fiesta Mall, there is nice areas throughout and some areas that need to  More

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Over 2 years ago

As someone who was born in Mesa and has lived here in the 85210 in Dobson Ranch for the last 13 years after moving out from Chandler. I can tell you that most of the  More

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I’m a native to Arizona and growing up here has taught me that people just don’t care, and the Mormon community is huge! It’s normal in the state of AZ for kids to start  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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