2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Santa Barbara, CA vs Mercer Island, WA

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Highlights
Are people in Mercer Island older or younger than people in Santa Barbara?
- The Median Age in Mercer Island is 6.4 years older than in Santa Barbara.

Are housing costs cheaper in Mercer Island or Santa Barbara?
- Mercer Island housing costs are 40.6% more expensive than Santa Barbara housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Mercer Island or Santa Barbara?
- The average commute for residents of Mercer Island is 6.6 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 Mercer Island?
Mercer Island, Washington is a vibrant city located in King County and renowned for its lush parks and nature reserves, thriving restaurants, and small-town charm. It offers plenty of activities for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy, from exploring Luther Burbank Park to kayaking on Lake Washington. Visitors can also explore local attractions such as the Mercer Island Historical Society or shop at nearby malls such as Bellevue Square. With easy access to Seattle and other major cities like Redmond and Kirkland, Mercer Island makes an ideal destination for visitors seeking an unforgettable experience close to urban amenities.

 Santa Barbara, CAMercer Island, WAUnited States
 Population  Unlock25,506329,725,481
 Median Income$89,243  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock45.538.4
 Avg. Home Price$1,525,500  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock5.4%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 Mercer Island    4 Reviews

Mercer Island is a wonderful family community. It feels much more "small town" than a city even though it has a population of 20,000+. People say hello and watch out  More

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Mercer Island is a suburb of Seattle, located on an island in Lake Washington. The best thing about Mercer Island is its strategically central location relative to the  More

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Mercer Island is a suburb of Seattle, located on an island in Lake Washington. The best thing about Mercer Island is its strategically central location relative to the  More

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