2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Seattle, WA vs Santa Barbara, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Santa Barbara older or younger than people in Seattle?
- The Median Age in Santa Barbara is 3.8 years older than in Seattle.

Are housing costs cheaper in Santa Barbara or Seattle?
- Santa Barbara housing costs are 85.2% more expensive than Seattle housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Santa Barbara or Seattle?
- The average commute for residents of Santa Barbara is 10.3 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Seattle.

Things to do in Seattle?
Seattle, Washington is a vibrant city with something for everyone. Enjoy stunning views of the Cascade Mountains or take a stroll down the iconic Pike Place Market and sample some of the best seafood around. Take in the sights at the Space Needle or explore history by visiting Chihuly Garden and Glass. For outdoor enthusiasts, there are plenty of hiking and biking trails within city limits, as well as many parks and gardens to explore. With its eclectic culture, breathtaking natural beauty, and abundance of activities, Seattle offers something for all kinds of travelers!

Things to do in Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara, California has something for everyone - from fantastic beaches to world-class shopping and dining experiences. Visitors can explore Old Mission Santa Barbara or take part in various water activities around Stearns Wharf.

 Seattle, WASanta Barbara, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock89,132329,725,481
 Median Income$105,391  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock39.138.4
 Avg. Home Price$823,900  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock4.1%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time27.46  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Seattle    321 Reviews

I have lived here since 1975, I moved here from California but was born and raised in Michigan. I would have to say that I never regretted leaving Michigan and their  More

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Over 3 years ago

I’ve lived in Seattle for just under 7 years and while it can be a stunningly beautiful place, I am very excited to leave. I’ll start with some of the positive aspects.  More

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if you can afford it, Seattle is a very nice place to live and raise a family! however, it is extremely expensive and in the winter, it's rather gloomy. i love gloomy  More

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Reviews for Santa Barbara    51 Reviews

I moved to Santa Barbara around 23 years ago to study at Brooks, which like most of the Santa Barbara that I knew—has been destroyed. Homelessness, drugs, gangs, high  More

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Over 4 years ago

I fell in love with Santa Barbara about thirty years ago and finally moved here a few years ago. Because of the price of homes, it is an expensive place to live. The  More

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If you like high crime, paying a $4,500 a month mortgage and crazy high taxes, this is the place for you. It’s too bad because it wasn’t always like this. When I moved  More

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