2026 Compare Cities Education:
Santa Maria, CA vs Desert Hot Springs, CA

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Highlights
- Desert Hot Springs spends 8.4% less per student than Santa Maria.
- The Student Teacher Ratio is 11.2% higher in Desert Hot Springs than in Santa Maria. (lower means fewer students in each classroom).
- Desert Hot Springs had 24.3% more residents who had graduated High School compared to Santa Maria
 Santa Maria, CADesert Hot Springs, CAUnited States
 Expend. per Student  Unlock$15,296$15,905
 Educ. Expend. per Student$13,158  Unlock$13,142
 Instr. Expend. per Student  Unlock$7,941$7,999
 Pupil/Teacher Ratio21.01  Unlock16.23
 Students per Librarian  Unlock249534573
 Students per Counselor539  Unlock530
 Grade School Educ.  Unlock11.8%4.8%
 Some High School Educ.10.0%  Unlock6.3%
 High School Educ.  Unlock77.3%88.9%
 Some College Educ.20.4%  Unlock20.0%
 2 yr College Grad.  Unlock7.2%8.7%
 4 yr College Grad.13.6%  Unlock33.7%
 Masters Grad.  Unlock2.9%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 Desert Hot Springs    9 Reviews

lived here 13 years and leaving as soon as possible. crime rate high but getting better. much improved place since 2008. if you buy a house choose the neighborhood and  More

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Over 6 years ago

Love the winters but the summers are too difficult for me. Hot and super windy. However I love the serenity, beautiful mountains, hot springs, and location close to  More

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I am 29 years old and have lived in this city nearly my entire life. When my family moved to this town, there were less than 12,000 people. I've watched it grow a lot.  More

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