2025 Compare Cities Education:
Palo Alto, CA vs Santa Maria, CA

Change Cities
Highlights
- Santa Maria spends 9.2% less per student than Palo Alto.
- The Student Teacher Ratio is 2.7% lower in Santa Maria than in Palo Alto. (lower means fewer students in each classroom).
- Santa Maria had 35.9% fewer residents who had graduated High School compared to Palo Alto
 Palo Alto, CASanta Maria, CAUnited States
 Expend. per Student  Unlock$16,705$15,905
 Educ. Expend. per Student$14,141  Unlock$13,142
 Instr. Expend. per Student  Unlock$7,862$7,999
 Pupil/Teacher Ratio21.59  Unlock16.23
 Students per Librarian  Unlock123874573
 Students per Counselor646  Unlock530
 Grade School Educ.  Unlock27.8%4.8%
 Some High School Educ.1.1%  Unlock6.3%
 High School Educ.  Unlock62.2%88.9%
 Some College Educ.7.1%  Unlock20.0%
 2 yr College Grad.  Unlock7.2%8.7%
 4 yr College Grad.82.7%  Unlock33.7%
 Masters Grad.  Unlock2.8%9.3%
 Professional Degree8.4%  Unlock2.2%
 Doctorate Degree  Unlock0.3%1.5%
Reviews for Palo Alto    8 Reviews

The Bay Area in general, but Palo Alto specifically provides many of the qualities sought by many; the climate is beautiful, there is access to cultural and recreational  More

   |    Reply

Over 17 years ago

Very  More

   |    Reply

Over 18 years ago

VTA and SamsTrans and Caltrain all provide good service and most times frequency of service is  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Palo Alto

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Santa Maria


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.