Santa Maria, CA vs South El Monte, 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
South El Monte
62.5
#1853 nationally
South El Monte leads in crime level (12.8 vs 18.1). Santa Maria leads in average commute (22.1 min vs 27.7 min). Santa Maria leads in median household income ($81,237 vs $67,724).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Santa Maria, CA | South El Monte, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 63.3 (#1783) | 62.5 (#1853) |
| Population | 109,987 | 19,032 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $668,983 | $759,990 |
| Median Household Income | $81,237 | $67,724 |
| Average Commute | 22.1 min | 27.7 min |
| Walk Score | 52 | 61 |
| Crime Level | 18.1 | 12.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 138 | 148 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+26.7 | D+32.9 |
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 →
D-
62.5 Score
South El Monte, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$759,990
Population
19,032
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
61
Pacific
View South El Monte, CA →
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