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

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in San Marcos or is it cheaper to live in Santa Maria?
- San Marcos is 0.1% more expensive than Santa Maria.

Which city has more affordable housing, San Marcos or Santa Maria?
- San Marcos housing costs are 54.6% more expensive than Santa Maria housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Santa Maria or is Health Care more affordable in San Marcos.
- Health related expenses are 21.4% less in San Marcos.
 Santa Maria, CASan Marcos, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock154.9100
 Food & Groceries102.6  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock89.0100
 Housing168.2  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$813,500$338,100
 Utilities92  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock122.9100
 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 San Marcos    5 Reviews

Just an amazing place to live. I have lived in 7 states and almost countless cities. Sam Marcos is one of the best. This is literally the longest place I have lived  More

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Over 15 years ago

Is this area to expensive for the average income retired  More

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Over 18 years ago

Beautiful Mediterranean climate with bright sunshine and ocean breazes. City is just 15 minutes away from the  More

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