2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Santa Maria, CA vs Arroyo Grande, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Arroyo Grande or is it cheaper to live in Santa Maria?
- Arroyo Grande is 5.6% less expensive than Santa Maria.

Which city has more affordable housing, Arroyo Grande or Santa Maria?
- Arroyo Grande housing costs are 61.8% more expensive than Santa Maria housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Santa Maria or is Health Care more affordable in Arroyo Grande.
- Health related expenses are 3.8% less in Arroyo Grande.
 Santa Maria, CAArroyo Grande, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock146.1100
 Food & Groceries102.6  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock108.9100
 Housing168.2  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$905,700$338,100
 Utilities92  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock94.7100
 Miscellaneous142.5  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Santa Maria    12 Reviews

Over 6 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 Arroyo Grande    8 Reviews

Over 7 years ago

Arroyo Grande is a nice place to live. However, it is rather expensive for many people. There is a large retirement community living here, and home and rental prices are  More

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Over 8 years ago

I've lived here for nearly thirty years and love it. Great, easy climate year round. I know what I'm talking about--having lived in San Francisco Bay Area, Nevada,  More

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People from here absolutely love it and refuse to admit that it is much too expensive. They hate change. To live in a good school area will cost you dearly. There is  More

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