Berkeley, CA vs Santa Maria, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Berkeley
59.6
#1947 nationally
Santa Maria
63.3
#1783 nationally
Berkeley leads in walk score (85 vs 52). Santa Maria leads in cost of living index (138 vs 222). Santa Maria leads in average commute (22.1 min vs 30.4 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Santa Maria, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 59.6 (#1947) | 63.3 (#1783) |
| Population | 118,962 | 109,987 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,460,437 | $668,983 |
| Median Household Income | $104,716 | $81,237 |
| Average Commute | 30.4 min | 22.1 min |
| Walk Score | 85 | 52 |
| Crime Level | 17.5 | 18.1 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 222 | 138 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+53.6 | D+26.7 |
F
59.6 Score
Berkeley, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$1,460,437
Population
118,962
Crime
High
Walk Score
85
Pacific
View Berkeley, CA →
D
63.3 Score
Santa Maria, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$668,983
Population
109,987
Crime
High
Walk Score
52
Pacific
View Santa Maria, CA →
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