2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Santa Barbara, CA vs Carlsbad, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Carlsbad older or younger than people in Santa Barbara?
- The Median Age in Carlsbad is 3.4 years older than in Santa Barbara.

Are housing costs cheaper in Carlsbad or Santa Barbara?
- Carlsbad housing costs are 13.5% less expensive than Santa Barbara housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Carlsbad or Santa Barbara?
- The average commute for residents of Carlsbad is 10.9 minutes longer than it is for residents of Santa Barbara.

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.

Things to do in Carlsbad?
Carlsbad, California is a stunning coastal city in San Diego County that offers something for everybody. From its beautiful beaches to the bustling downtown area and vibrant art scene, Carlsbad has something to offer anyone looking to explore the city. With year-round sunny weather, plenty of outdoor activities such as surfing, kayaking and hiking, and world-class resorts and spas, there is no shortage of ways to enjoy your time here. Whether you're visiting for a day or planning to stay longer, Carlsbad will be sure to leave you with lasting memories!

 Santa Barbara, CACarlsbad, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock114,858329,725,481
 Median Income$89,243  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock42.538.4
 Avg. Home Price$1,525,500  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock5.6%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time17.15  Unlock26.38
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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Reviews for Carlsbad    38 Reviews

I've lived in Carlsbad (92008) for 8 years now and really appreciate all that it has to offer. Yes, ALL of San Diego County is expensive, but Carlsbad has [possibly]  More

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Over 4 years ago

Carlson has the worst winters. It averages about 10 meters of snow per week. Every shop is  More

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Ok, I get it, the climate is mild and tolerable but even that is over-rated when you consider how many cloudy days there are in this town. The sun coming out at 3 and  More

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