2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Santa Barbara, CA vs Lake Isabella, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Lake Isabella older or younger than people in Santa Barbara?
- The Median Age in Lake Isabella is 2.7 years younger than in Santa Barbara.

Are housing costs cheaper in Lake Isabella or Santa Barbara?
- Lake Isabella housing costs are 86.7% less expensive than Santa Barbara housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Lake Isabella or Santa Barbara?
- The average commute for residents of Lake Isabella is 6.3 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 Lake Isabella?
Living in Lake Isabella, CA is a great experience. With beautiful scenery, year-round mild temperatures and plenty of outdoor activities, this small mountain town has much to offer its residents. The nearby Kern River offers fishing, swimming, kayaking and camping opportunities for those who love exploring the outdoors. The quiet surroundings mean that there are plenty of peaceful places to simply relax and take in the views. Furthermore, with a low cost of living and access to plenty of stores and restaurants, there’s something for everyone in Lake Isabella.

 Santa Barbara, CALake Isabella, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock3,553329,725,481
 Median Income$89,243  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock36.438.4
 Avg. Home Price$1,525,500  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock11.1%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 Lake Isabella    2 Reviews

Over 7 years ago

i love lake isabella i came from the city so peaceful and everyone is so nice ,certainly a slower pace of living exactly what i was looking for  More

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Over 19 years ago

Lake Isabella is somewhat isolated from the nearest big city, Bakersfield, and offers few choices regarding shopping, dining, and  More

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