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

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Palmdale or is it cheaper to live in Santa Maria?
- Palmdale is 4.5% more expensive than Santa Maria.

Which city has more affordable housing, Palmdale or Santa Maria?
- Palmdale housing costs are 14.3% less expensive than Santa Maria housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Santa Maria or is Health Care more affordable in Palmdale.
- Health related expenses are 21.5% less in Palmdale.
 Santa Maria, CAPalmdale, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock161.7100
 Food & Groceries102.6  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock88.9100
 Housing168.2  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$444,900$338,100
 Utilities92  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock179.7100
 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 Palmdale    35 Reviews

Over 6 years ago

I've lived here for nine years and I haven't had any problems. The weather is hot during the summer we get real Summers during the winter it's cold and it's sometimes  More

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Over 6 years ago

I have lived here for many years and I wish I could move elsewhere. I have lived on both the east and west sides of this city. The west side is supposedly better and I  More

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Over 11 years ago

I live in West Palmdale, right by the mall and i just love it. The area is in need of more restaurants, preferably steak houses, a good old fashion Chinese restaurant  More

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