Located in the state of California, Santa Maria is a moderately-sized city with a population of 103,642 inhabitants. With a population density of 4,549 people per square mile, Santa Maria is well above the nation's average density level. The majority of Santa Maria residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Asian and Black. Additionally, more than a quarter of the population of Santa Maria are of Hispanic or Latino origin, and 59% of the population also speak Spanish. The median age of all Santa Maria residents is 29, which is well below the national average. This is a good indication that this city could be ideal for a younger demographic.
If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very intimidating task. However, it could also be a good experience if you are willing to get to know the city before actually living in Santa Maria, California. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like crime, commute, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Santa Maria and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Santa Maria to California and the national average.
Using data and statistics Santa Maria has received a livability score of 71/100. This score is ranked in the 80th percentile when compared to all other cities. If we dig down a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Santa Maria has higher than average rankings for the following: amenities (A+) and housing (B-). Santa Maria does not fare well for the following: crime (F), cost of living (F) and education (F). It might be a smart idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.
Location, location, location - those 3 words empasize the significance of the location of any property and are possibly the three most important words in your search for a new place to live. Fortunately, in Santa Maria, there are an abundance of amazing local amenities and other interesting things to do. These include grocery stores, coffee shops, places to eat and parks. Some of the more notable entertainment options include: PCPA Theaterfest, Santa Maria Museum of Flight, and Boomers Santa Maria.
Finding affordable real estate and apartments for rent in Santa Maria can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.
Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Santa Maria is real estate affordability. The median home price for Santa Maria homes is $276,800, which is 32.4% lower than the California average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Santa Maria, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 5.3, which is 17.2% lower than the California average.
| Statistic | Santa Maria | California | National |
| Average one way commute | 22min | 28min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 69.1% | 73.5% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 23.2% | 10.6% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 2.0% | 5.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.5% | 1.1% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.2% | 2.7% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 3.7% | 5.4% | 4.6% |
| Walk | Bike | Compact | Car | S.U.V. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Distance | |||||
| Duration | |||||
| Cost/Month |
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