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Data sourced from US Census, BLS, DOT, EPA, Zillow (aggregated)

Last updated: Feb 2026

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Santa BarbaravsBoston

Last updated: Feb 2026
Data Methodology

Moving from Santa Barbara to Boston will save you approximately $96,829 on median home prices (11.1% less). Monthly rent is $403 cheaper in Boston. Median income is 21.2% higher in Boston, helping offset housing costs.

Housing
11.1% cheaper
Rent
11.1% cheaper
View Santa BarbaraView Boston
Boston

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

Santa Barbara, CA

Median Home Price$875,258
Monthly Rent$3,647
Median Income$82,922
Population91,852
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Destination

Boston, MA

Median Home Price
$778,429-11.1%
Monthly Rent
$3,243-11.1%
Median Income
$100,532+21.2%
Population669,469
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Cities Location Map

Housing

Rent History & Trends

Understanding how rental prices have changed over time helps predict future affordability and make informed decisions about your move.

Santa Barbara

2015N/A
2020$2,603
2025$3,647

Boston

2015$2,273
2020$2,347
2025$3,243

Annual Cost of Living

A comprehensive breakdown of annual living expenses helps you budget effectively for your new life in Boston.

Santa Barbara

Housing$14,527
Food$6,850
Transport$14,083
Healthcare$11,373
Total$68,463

Boston

Housing$16,490
Food$7,343
Transport$12,320
Healthcare$8,876
Total$63,621
Costs

Key Insights

11.1%
Housing Cost
cheaper in Boston
$403
Monthly Rent Difference
savings per month
21.2%
Income Level
higher median income

Demographics

Santa Barbara

Population91,852
Median Age37.8 yrs
Violent Crime Rate481 per 100k
Property Crime Rate2165 per 100k

Boston

Population669,469
Median Age31.8 yrs
Violent Crime Rate301 per 100k
Property Crime Rate1000 per 100k

Safety & Crime Statistics

Santa Barbara

481
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
2165
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

Boston

301
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
1000
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to live in Boston or Santa Barbara?

Boston is 11.1% cheaper for housing than Santa Barbara. The median home price in Boston is $778,429 compared to $875,258 in Santa Barbara, a savings of $96,829.

What is the rent difference between Santa Barbara and Boston?

Monthly rent in Boston averages $3,243, while Santa Barbara averages $3,647. That's a savings of $403 per month, or $4,841 annually.

How do incomes compare between Santa Barbara and Boston?

The median household income in Boston is $100,532, which is 21.2% higher than Santa Barbara's median of $82,922.

Which city is safer: Santa Barbara or Boston?

Santa Barbara has a violent crime rate of 481 per 100k residents, while Boston has 301 per 100k. Boston is statistically safer.

What is Estates?

Estates is a comprehensive cost of living comparison platform covering over 3,900 US cities. We help you compare housing prices, rent, income levels, crime rates, demographics, and climate data to make informed relocation decisions. Our data comes from trusted sources including Zillow, the U.S. Census Bureau, FBI, and NOAA.

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