2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Santa Maria, CA vs Long Beach, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Long Beach older or younger than people in Santa Maria?
- The Median Age in Long Beach is 6.7 years older than in Santa Maria.

Are housing costs cheaper in Long Beach or Santa Maria?
- Long Beach housing costs are 30.9% more expensive than Santa Maria housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Long Beach or Santa Maria?
- The average commute for residents of Long Beach is 9.6 minutes longer than it is for residents of Santa Maria.

Things to do in Santa Maria?
Santa Maria, California is a vibrant city located in Santa Barbara County. From its stunning coastal landscape to its various cultural attractions, there's something for everyone in Santa Maria! Visitors can explore outdoor activities like Pismo Beach or takein some culture at places like the Allan Hancock College Museum of Natural History. Plus, those looking for an educational experience can browse sites like the Fremont Theater or the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area. And when they've had their fill of activities, visitors can enjoy a delicious meal from restaurants like Taqueria Don Beto or Mingos Mexican Restaurant. With so much to offer, Santa Maria makes for an unforgettable experience!

Things to do in Long Beach?
Long Beach, California makes for an ideal destination for beach lovers, boasting miles of gorgeous coastline. Visitors can spend the day in the sand or enjoy a variety of outdoor activities like kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. The city also offers numerous cultural attractions such as the Long Beach Museum of Art and aquarium, plus plenty of shopping destinations downtown and along Shoreline Drive. In addition to its beaches, Long Beach has a lively nightlife filled with bars and clubs, making it a great choice for those who want to experience all that this vibrant city has to offer.

 Santa Maria, CALong Beach, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock466,565329,725,481
 Median Income$73,300  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock35.938.4
 Avg. Home Price$565,100  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock11.5%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time20.79  Unlock26.38
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 Long Beach    45 Reviews

Local born and bred. This place is going down the drain. Crime is up, housing is up, yuppies finding nothing wrong with it since they want to validate spending 3k on a 2  More

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Angelique · 
Over 5 years ago

I love Long Beach. I especially shoreline village and the aquarium of the pacific. The only big problem here (for me) is crime. Otherwise, nice  More

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Over 7 years ago

The cost of living is extremely high and there are way too many apartments or multi unit homes which have no parking. But with everyone living on top of each other it  More

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