Lafayette, 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.
Lafayette
62.7
#1832 nationally
Santa Maria
63.3
#1783 nationally
Lafayette leads in crime level (2.2 vs 18.1). Lafayette leads in median household income ($219,250 vs $81,237). Santa Maria leads in cost of living index (138 vs 280).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Lafayette, CA | Santa Maria, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62.7 (#1832) | 63.3 (#1783) |
| Population | 25,048 | 109,987 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,941,109 | $668,983 |
| Median Household Income | $219,250 | $81,237 |
| Average Commute | 29.7 min | 22.1 min |
| Walk Score | 26 | 52 |
| Crime Level | 2.2 | 18.1 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 280 | 138 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+38.0 | D+26.7 |
D-
62.7 Score
Lafayette, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,941,109
Population
25,048
Crime
Low
Walk Score
26
Pacific
View Lafayette, 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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