2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Santa Barbara, CA vs Fort Walton Beach, FL

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Highlights
Are people in Fort Walton Beach older or younger than people in Santa Barbara?
- The Median Age in Fort Walton Beach is 0.4 years older than in Santa Barbara.

Are housing costs cheaper in Fort Walton Beach or Santa Barbara?
- Fort Walton Beach housing costs are 78.9% less expensive than Santa Barbara housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Fort Walton Beach or Santa Barbara?
- The average commute for residents of Fort Walton Beach is 2.0 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 Fort Walton Beach?
Fort Walton Beach is a city in Florida that is known for its beautiful beaches and amazing weather. The local attractions include the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, the Indian Temple Mound Museum, and the Air Force Armament Museum. There are also many great restaurants, shops, and activities to enjoy.The area offers wonderful outdoor activities, such as fishing, boating, swimming, and beachcombing. Fort Walton Beach boasts a vibrant nightlife with live music, dance clubs, and bars.

 Santa Barbara, CAFort Walton Beach, FLUnited States
 Population  Unlock20,805329,725,481
 Median Income$89,243  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock39.538.4
 Avg. Home Price$1,525,500  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock4.0%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 Fort Walton Beach    10 Reviews

Over 3 years ago

Ive lived in Fort Walton for atleast 15yrs.Ive seen the good days(early to late 200's)and now the bad.If you move here,youd better make atleast $10,000 a month.These  More

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I would like to know if Fort Walton Beach is a better place to live rather than busy Clearwater FL. We want to re-locate to a quieter city with all the amenities of a  More

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FWB is great for its beautiful beaches and saltwater fishing. It's also easy to move around town except during rush hour (yes, we have a rush hour - but it literally  More

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