2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Salinas, CA vs Santa Maria, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Santa Maria or is it cheaper to live in Salinas?
- Santa Maria is 1.8% more expensive than Salinas.

Which city has more affordable housing, Santa Maria or Salinas?
- Santa Maria housing costs are 21.9% less expensive than Salinas housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Salinas or is Health Care more affordable in Santa Maria.
- Health related expenses are 21.2% less in Santa Maria.
 Salinas, CASanta Maria, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock154.7100
 Food & Groceries104.5  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock113.2100
 Housing215.5  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$565,100$338,100
 Utilities92  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock95.2100
 Miscellaneous112.9  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Salinas    15 Reviews

Over 11 years ago

Sacred Heart School is a fine Catholic school in the heart of Salinas, Ca. Victoria Torcolini was principal of this PK-8 school from 2006-2009. Under her leadership, SHS  More

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Over 13 years ago

I Was born and raise in salinas. In 2006 my family moved to the central valley. I moved back to salinas in 2011. I moved back Because I got a better job in Carmel. I  More

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Salinas, California has some of the best weather in Central California. I love looking out at the mountain ranges that line the Salinas River Valley. It's a shame that  More

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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

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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

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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

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