2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Santa Barbara, CA vs Vail, CO

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Highlights
Are people in Vail older or younger than people in Santa Barbara?
- The Median Age in Vail is 11.1 years older than in Santa Barbara.

Are housing costs cheaper in Vail or Santa Barbara?
- Vail housing costs are 0.3% more expensive than Santa Barbara housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Vail or Santa Barbara?
- The average commute for residents of Vail is 5.1 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 Vail?
Living in Vail, CO is an experience like no other. Located at the base of the Rocky Mountains and surrounded by national forest, you get to experience some of the most beautiful nature that exists. The town is full of adventure, from skiing and snowboarding to hiking and camping. There are plenty of restaurants and shops that line the main street for when you need a break from the outdoor activities. A typical day here can be spent traversing the great outdoors or perusing local boutiques for unique finds. No matter what you choose to do, Vail provides an unforgettable experience with its mountain backdrop and small-town charm.

 Santa Barbara, CAVail, COUnited States
 Population  Unlock4,900329,725,481
 Median Income$89,243  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock50.238.4
 Avg. Home Price$1,525,500  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock5.1%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 Vail    5 Reviews

Over 18 years ago

Vail..pros/ cons Pros 1. beautiful town 2. very low crime Cons 1. Ungodly expensive and that's an understatement 2. unless you are rich and beautiful, this isn't  More

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Over 19 years ago

Vail is beautiful year round. Fabulous skiing, hiking, fishing, shopping, restaurants, etc. However, the price you pay to live in a resort town is extremely high cost  More

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Over 20 years ago

Vail is very different that other areas of the U.S. I have lived in Seattle, Los Angeles, Orange County, Austin TX, Monterey CA... and it is another world here. World  More

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