Santa Maria, CA vs Shafter, 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.
Santa Maria
63.3
#1783 nationally
Shafter
70.7
#1077 nationally
Shafter leads in crime level (7.6 vs 18.1). Shafter leads in cost of living index (112 vs 138). Santa Maria leads in median household income ($81,237 vs $66,418).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Santa Maria, CA | Shafter, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 63.3 (#1783) | 70.7 (#1077) |
| Population | 109,987 | 21,915 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $668,983 | $387,324 |
| Median Household Income | $81,237 | $66,418 |
| Average Commute | 22.1 min | 22 min |
| Walk Score | 52 | 45 |
| Crime Level | 18.1 | 7.6 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 138 | 112 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+26.7 | R+21.1 |
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 →
C-
70.7 Score
Shafter, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$387,324
Population
21,915
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
45
Pacific
View Shafter, CA →
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