Orange, 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.
Orange
63.3
#1780 nationally
Santa Maria
63.3
#1783 nationally
Orange leads in crime level (6.2 vs 18.1). Orange leads in median household income ($109,335 vs $81,237). Santa Maria leads in cost of living index (138 vs 178).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Orange, CA | Santa Maria, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 63.3 (#1780) | 63.3 (#1783) |
| Population | 138,337 | 109,987 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,136,729 | $668,983 |
| Median Household Income | $109,335 | $81,237 |
| Average Commute | 26.5 min | 22.1 min |
| Walk Score | 51 | 52 |
| Crime Level | 6.2 | 18.1 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 178 | 138 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | D+26.7 |
D
63.3 Score
Orange, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$1,136,729
Population
138,337
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
51
Pacific
View Orange, 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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