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

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Highlights
Are people in Goleta older or younger than people in Santa Barbara?
- The Median Age in Goleta is 4.1 years younger than in Santa Barbara.

Are housing costs cheaper in Goleta or Santa Barbara?
- Goleta housing costs are 22.8% less expensive than Santa Barbara housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Goleta or Santa Barbara?
- The average commute for residents of Goleta is 0.9 minutes shorter 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 Goleta?
Goleta CA can be found north Santa Barbara full of scenic routes perfect for bike rides such as Camino Cielo Loop showcasing some breathtaking views alongside private gardens, art galleries & wineries giving vacationers a chance to explore area's culture.

 Santa Barbara, CAGoleta, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock32,677329,725,481
 Median Income$89,243  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock3538.4
 Avg. Home Price$1,525,500  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock3.9%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 Goleta    2 Reviews

Lived in this area 2014-now (2022), Goleta for 4 years of that. Pros: *The climate is unbeatable, unless you enjoy being overly hot or cold, or snow sports which  More

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I live in Goleta and work part-time in Santa Barbara. I am semi-retired and have a decent income. Making wise choices of where to spend my income has always been  More

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