2026 Compare Cities Education:
Santa Maria, CA vs Abilene, TX

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Highlights
- Abilene spends 21.2% less per student than Santa Maria.
- The Student Teacher Ratio is 31.8% lower in Abilene than in Santa Maria. (lower means fewer students in each classroom).
- Abilene had 40.1% more residents who had graduated High School compared to Santa Maria
 Santa Maria, CAAbilene, TXUnited States
 Expend. per Student  Unlock$13,157$15,905
 Educ. Expend. per Student$13,158  Unlock$13,142
 Instr. Expend. per Student  Unlock$5,650$7,999
 Pupil/Teacher Ratio21.01  Unlock16.23
 Students per Librarian  Unlock11734573
 Students per Counselor539  Unlock530
 Grade School Educ.  Unlock4.3%4.8%
 Some High School Educ.10.0%  Unlock6.3%
 High School Educ.  Unlock87.2%88.9%
 Some College Educ.20.4%  Unlock20.0%
 2 yr College Grad.  Unlock8.5%8.7%
 4 yr College Grad.13.6%  Unlock33.7%
 Masters Grad.  Unlock7.3%9.3%
 Professional Degree0.8%  Unlock2.2%
 Doctorate Degree  Unlock1.0%1.5%
Reviews for Santa Maria    12 Reviews

Over 7 years ago

I live in Orcutt which is a town of around 35,000 on the south side of Santa Maria. Santa Maria has, as everyone has noted, the best climate in the world. It never  More

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I have lived in Santa Maria / Orcutt for several years, but it is time to leave. I have no issues with the weather. Our climate is mild and comfortable with no extremes.  More

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The weather is very mild without a huge temperature change with the seasons. The winters are chilly but not cold and the summers are warm but not hot. Of course there  More

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Reviews for Abilene    17 Reviews

I've lived in 9 states, traveled over much of the U.S., and Abilene TEXAS is by far the best city I've ever lived. I find it beautiful here, love the climate and low  More

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Over 6 years ago

We moved to Abilene for a military assignment and have never got out of here. We stayed initially for children and grandchildren then elderly parents. Now we can't  More

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I've lived in Abilene for the last 45 years and It's the best place to raise a family. Great churches, schools, jobs and sense of community. There is always something  More

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