Santa Maria, CA

Census place 0669196 · pop 110,462

F29/ 100
💀 Bad
D−
in CA
📍 California ranks #49 of 50 states →
🏆 Prop tax0.65% · top 21%
🚽 Uninsured22.9% · bottom 5%
💡 Did you know?

Birthplace of Santa Maria-style barbecue, the regional tradition of oak-grilled tri-tip.

Source ↗
Taxes
0.65% property · US 0.99%8.99% sales · US 7.00%up to 13.30% income · US 4.63%

Sales & income are statewide.

The breakdown — worst first

Uninsured adults22.9%5

U.S. median 9.3% · worse than most cities

22.9% of adults · Adults 18–64 without health insurance.

Violent crime rate665/100k9

U.S. median 152/100k · worse than most cities

665 violent crimes per 100k · Violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) per 100,000 residents.

Natural disaster riskCounty-level99/10010

U.S. median 77/100 · worse than most cities

99/100 FEMA risk (higher = riskier) · FEMA National Risk Index — wildfire, flood, earthquake, heat and more. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Bachelor's degree or higher15.7%11

U.S. median 24.3% · worse than most cities

15.7% have a bachelor's degree or higher · Share of adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher.

Physical inactivity32.8%15

U.S. median 26.5% · worse than most cities

32.8% of adults · Adults with no leisure-time physical activity.

Homeownership50.2%15

U.S. median 67.2% · worse than most cities

50.2% own their home · Share of occupied homes that are owner-occupied.

Unemployment rateCounty-level4.6%18

U.S. median 3.6% · worse than most cities

4.6% unemployment · Share of the labor force out of work. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Housing cost$531,70018

U.S. median $214,900 · worse than most cities

$531,700 median home value · Median home value — how expensive it is to buy in. Higher = less affordable.

Rent$2,433/mo18

U.S. median $1,756/mo · worse than most cities

$2,433/mo typical rent · Typical monthly rent (Zillow Observed Rent Index, all home types).

Poor mental health19.2%19

U.S. median 17.4% · worse than most cities

19.2% of adults · Adults reporting frequent poor mental health (14+ days a month).

Poverty rate17.3%26

U.S. median 12.1% · worse than most cities

17.3% live in poverty · Share of residents living below the federal poverty line.

Air quality (AQI)County-level49 AQI27

U.S. median 42 AQI · worse than most cities

49 median AQI · Median air quality index — lower is cleaner air. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Property crime rate1961/100k30

U.S. median 964/100k · worse than most cities

1961 property crimes per 100k · Burglary, theft, motor-vehicle theft and arson per 100,000 residents.

Broadband access89.8%37

U.S. median 90.0% · worse than most cities

89.8% of homes have broadband · Share of households with a broadband internet subscription.

Adult smoking13.9%44

U.S. median 14.6% · worse than most cities

13.9% of adults · Share of adults who currently smoke.

Unhealthy air daysCounty-level2 days51

U.S. median 1 days · better than most cities

2 unhealthy-air days per year · Days per year with unhealthy air (AQI above 100). Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Population growth (5yr)+4.0%58

U.S. median +2.4% · better than most cities

+4.0% population change (5yr) · 5-year population change — are people moving in, or fleeing?

Commute time22 min60

U.S. median 24 min · better than most cities

22 min average one-way commute · Average one-way commute to work, in minutes.

Income inequality0.4261

U.S. median 0.43 · better than most cities

Gini 0.42 (0 = equal, 1 = unequal) · Gini index of household income (0 = equal, 1 = unequal).

Median household income$84,74661

U.S. median $67,857 · better than most cities

$84,746 median household income · Median household income — a proxy for local economic health.

Adult obesity30.2%75

U.S. median 36.5% · better than most cities

30.2% of adults · Share of adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30).

Property-tax burden0.65%79

U.S. median 0.99% · better than most cities

0.65% of home value paid in property tax · Median real-estate taxes paid as a share of home value.

Frequently asked

Is Santa Maria, CA a good place to live?
By the numbers, Santa Maria scores 29/100 — a F (Bad) on Shcity, which ranks U.S. cities on public data across 22 metrics like crime, cost, jobs and health. Its strongest area is property-tax burden and its weakest is uninsured adults. California overall ranks #49 of 50 states. Whether it's "good" depends on what you value — re-weight the factors to score it your way.
How safe is Santa Maria, CA?
Santa Maria reports 665 violent crimes per 100k and 1961 property crimes per 100k — worse than most U.S. cities on violent crime.
Is Santa Maria, CA expensive to live in?
Santa Maria has a median home value of $531,700 and typical rent around $2,433/mo — pricier than most U.S. cities.
What's the biggest downside of living in Santa Maria, CA?
Its weakest measured area is uninsured adults (22.9%) — 5/100, worse than most U.S. cities.
What is Santa Maria, CA best at?
Its strongest measured area is property-tax burden (0.65%) — 79/100, better than most U.S. cities. Fun fact: Birthplace of Santa Maria-style barbecue, the regional tradition of oak-grilled tri-tip.

Sources: U.S. Census (ACS), CDC PLACES, FBI Crime Data Explorer, BLS, EPA AirData, FEMA National Risk Index, and Zillow.