Boulder, CO 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.
Boulder
67.4
#1424 nationally
Santa Maria
63.3
#1783 nationally
Santa Maria leads in cost of living index (138 vs 165). Boulder leads in walk score (62 vs 52). Boulder leads in median household income ($86,098 vs $81,237).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Santa Maria, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.4 (#1424) | 63.3 (#1783) |
| Population | 103,166 | 109,987 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $957,377 | $668,983 |
| Median Household Income | $86,098 | $81,237 |
| Average Commute | 21.4 min | 22.1 min |
| Walk Score | 62 | 52 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-Low | 18.1 |
| School Rating | 8.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 165 | 138 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+55.8 | D+26.7 |
D+
67.4 Score
Boulder, CO
Nature meets innovation at the Flatirons
Median Home
$957,377
Population
103,166
Crime
Moderate-Low
Schools
A
West
View Boulder, CO →
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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