2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Santa Maria, CA vs Hilo, HI

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Hilo or is it cheaper to live in Santa Maria?
- Hilo is 14.7% less expensive than Santa Maria.

Which city has more affordable housing, Hilo or Santa Maria?
- Hilo housing costs are 19.6% less expensive than Santa Maria housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Santa Maria or is Health Care more affordable in Hilo.
- Health related expenses are 11.9% less in Hilo.
 Santa Maria, CAHilo, HIUnited States
 Overall  Unlock131.9100
 Food & Groceries102.6  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock99.7100
 Housing168.2  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$463,400$338,100
 Utilities92  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock85.3100
 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 Hilo    10 Reviews

If you’re looking at Hilo, then you’re likely being recruited in the medical or education fields. These are where the greatest needs of the community lie, and there are  More

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Over 4 years ago

I enjoyed living in Hawaii County for a number of years, most in Hilo. While Hilo has problems, they are few compared to mainland USA. I never experienced racism by  More

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Over 4 years ago

Too much racism from "native Hawaiians" who aren't actually natives. That keeps me from living in that paradise. I'm this is the "natives" goal.  More

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