Calexico, CA vs Santa Maria, CA

The cost of living difference between Calexico, CA and Santa Maria, CA is dramatic. Calexico is 33.3% cheaper than Santa Maria, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Calexico has a cost index of 90 while Santa Maria sits at 135, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Calexico is $1,049/month compared to $1,842/month in Santa Maria — a 43% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Calexico is more affordable at $281,700 median vs $478,200.

Median household income in Calexico is $50,021 compared to $84,617 in Santa Maria (-40.9%). While Santa Maria is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Calexico spend roughly 25.2% of their income on rent, less than the 26.1% in Santa Maria.