2026 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Newport Beach, CA vs Santa Barbara, CA

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Santa Barbara or is it cheaper to live in Newport Beach?
- Santa Barbara is 6.2% less expensive than Newport Beach.

Which city has more affordable housing, Santa Barbara or Newport Beach?
- Santa Barbara housing costs are 47.7% less expensive than Newport Beach housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Newport Beach or is Health Care more affordable in Santa Barbara.
- Health related expenses are 21.2% more in Santa Barbara.
 Newport Beach, CASanta Barbara, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock154.7100
 Food & Groceries114.7  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock113.2100
 Housing912.0  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,525,500$338,100
 Utilities86  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock97.0100
 Miscellaneous155.7  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

Reviews for Newport Beach    21 Reviews

I've lived here since late 2014. It's pretty on the outside and ugly on the inside. The people are hyper conservative, aggressively competitive. It's all about money and  More

   |    Reply

Over 9 years ago

I love calling Newport Beach my home. Every time I return from travel, I can feel the stress leave my body the minute I see the Ocean. I sell real estate in Newport  More

   |    Reply

Over 11 years ago

I currently reside on Balboa Island in Newport Beach, Ca. I grew up in Newport on the peninsula point near the wedge. I still visit the wedge but going to that area in  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Newport Beach

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

   |    Reply

Over 5 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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Santa Barbara


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.