2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Santa Barbara, CA vs Harlingen, TX

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Highlights
Are people in Harlingen older or younger than people in Santa Barbara?
- The Median Age in Harlingen is 7.3 years younger than in Santa Barbara.

Are housing costs cheaper in Harlingen or Santa Barbara?
- Harlingen housing costs are 89.2% less expensive than Santa Barbara housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Harlingen or Santa Barbara?
- The average commute for residents of Harlingen is 0.4 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 Harlingen?
Harlingen, Texas is an incredible city located in the Rio Grande Valley. This charming city offers plenty for visitors to explore such as the historic Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge or the quaint Harlingen Arroyo Colorado. Residents here also take advantage of all the outdoor activities available at Lago Vista Golf Course, Town Park and Recreation Center, and Resaca de la Palma State Park. With its excellent school systems, thriving businesses, and numerous recreational opportunities, it's no wonder why so many people choose to make Harlingen their home.

 Santa Barbara, CAHarlingen, TXUnited States
 Population  Unlock71,124329,725,481
 Median Income$89,243  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock31.838.4
 Avg. Home Price$1,525,500  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock9.0%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 Harlingen    6 Reviews

Harlingen is a city that offers retirees the most bang for the buck! It is near enough to McAllen and Brownsville and all they offer. You get a wide variety of shopping  More

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This area of the state of Texas is bland to most people from the East and northeast. However the community has everything you need at a price you can afford. Dining out  More

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Over 8 years ago

Here is what you will not get in Harlingen: easy access to great museums and Michelin starred restaurants. However, there are things that counter it. 1) It is  More

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