Riverside, 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.
Riverside
60.4
#1938 nationally
Santa Maria
63.3
#1783 nationally
Santa Maria leads in average commute (22.1 min vs 31.3 min). Santa Maria leads in walk score (52 vs 43). Riverside leads in crime level (16.2 vs 18.1).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Santa Maria, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 60.4 (#1938) | 63.3 (#1783) |
| Population | 318,858 | 109,987 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $650,289 | $668,983 |
| Median Household Income | $83,448 | $81,237 |
| Average Commute | 31.3 min | 22.1 min |
| Walk Score | 43 | 52 |
| Crime Level | 16.2 | 18.1 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 140 | 138 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+1.3 | D+26.7 |
D-
60.4 Score
Riverside, CA
Growing California city with expanding opportunities
Median Home
$650,289
Population
318,858
Crime
High
Walk Score
43
Pacific
View Riverside, 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 →
Try a different matchup
Swap Riverside for: