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

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Santa Maria or is it cheaper to live in Sonoma?
- Santa Maria is 1.9% more expensive than Sonoma.

Which city has more affordable housing, Santa Maria or Sonoma?
- Santa Maria housing costs are 45.5% less expensive than Sonoma housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Sonoma or is Health Care more affordable in Santa Maria.
- Health related expenses are 1.6% more in Santa Maria.
 Sonoma, CASanta Maria, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock154.7100
 Food & Groceries111.0  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock113.2100
 Housing308.8  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$565,100$338,100
 Utilities104  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock95.2100
 Miscellaneous153.5  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Sonoma    12 Reviews

Over 12 years ago

I love Sonoma. Moved here from Texas and I can't wait to live in this small town with country living all around. I hate all the drama and crime in Vallejo. I live in  More

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I have lived in Sonoma for 3 years now. I relocated after a brief stint in Salt Lake City but lived in San Francisco for 30 years before that. If you like small town  More

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The best aspects of living in Sonoma County,CA: Air quality is best that one can ask for and there is no severe weather. No hazardous weather driving or walking  More

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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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