Bell, 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.
Bell
60.8
#1919 nationally
Santa Maria
63.3
#1783 nationally
Bell leads in walk score (77 vs 52). Santa Maria leads in average commute (22.1 min vs 32.2 min). Santa Maria leads in median household income ($81,237 vs $56,685).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Bell, CA | Santa Maria, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 60.8 (#1919) | 63.3 (#1783) |
| Population | 31,864 | 109,987 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $695,526 | $668,983 |
| Median Household Income | $56,685 | $81,237 |
| Average Commute | 32.2 min | 22.1 min |
| Walk Score | 77 | 52 |
| Crime Level | 16.0 | 18.1 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 142 | 138 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+32.9 | D+26.7 |
D-
60.8 Score
Bell, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$695,526
Population
31,864
Crime
High
Walk Score
77
Pacific
View Bell, 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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