2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Princeton, NJ vs Santa Barbara, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Santa Barbara or is it cheaper to live in Princeton?
- Santa Barbara is 47.9% more expensive than Princeton.

Which city has more affordable housing, Santa Barbara or Princeton?
- Santa Barbara housing costs are 97.8% more expensive than Princeton housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Princeton or is Health Care more affordable in Santa Barbara.
- Health related expenses are 16.2% more in Santa Barbara.
 Princeton, NJSanta Barbara, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock154.7100
 Food & Groceries115.1  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock113.2100
 Housing241.0  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,525,500$338,100
 Utilities114  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock97.0100
 Miscellaneous125.6  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Princeton    5 Reviews

Many cities have colleges in them, but Princeton's character and quality of life are very deeply influenced by having such an outstanding school contributing to all  More

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Over 16 years ago

police are very quick to respond and resolve crime problems. very safe place to live. when you feel safe, all other issues are  More

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You'll never lose on a real estate investment in Princeton. It has that cache that people always desire. McCarter Theatre, University concerts, fine dining, great  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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