Cost of Living Comparison
HomeCitiesAffordableBest CitiesGet Help
Compare Cities
HomeCitiesAffordableBest CitiesGet HelpCompare Cities
Get Assistance
Estates Logo

The most comprehensive cost of living comparison tool for US cities. Make informed relocation decisions with real data from trusted sources.

Explore

  • Browse Cities
  • Affordable Cities
  • Best Cities
  • Compare Cities

Data

  • San Francisco
  • New York
  • Austin
  • Denver

Top Routes

  • NYC → Austin
  • LA → Phoenix
  • SF → Denver
  • Chicago → Dallas

© 2026 Estates. All rights reserved.

Privacy PolicyTerms of ServiceMethodologySitemap

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

Last updated: Feb 2026

  1. Home
  2. /
  3. Compare

Santa BarbaravsLos Angeles

Last updated: Feb 2026
Data Methodology

Moving from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles will save you approximately $201,942 on median home prices (23.1% less). Monthly rent is $841 cheaper in Los Angeles. Note that median income is 0.0% lower in Los Angeles.

Housing
23.1% cheaper
Rent
23.1% cheaper
View Santa BarbaraView Los Angeles
Los Angeles

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

Santa Barbara, CA

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

Los Angeles, CA

Median Home Price
$673,316-23.1%
Monthly Rent
$2,805-23.1%
Median Income
$82,922+0.0%
Population3,971,896
Loading...

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

Los Angeles

2015$1,914
2020$2,259
2025$2,805

Annual Cost of Living

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

Santa Barbara

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

Los Angeles

Housing$14,527
Food$6,850
Transport$14,083
Healthcare$11,373
Total$58,366
Costs

Key Insights

23.1%
Housing Cost
cheaper in Los Angeles
$841
Monthly Rent Difference
savings per month
0.0%
Income Level
lower median income

Demographics

Santa Barbara

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

Los Angeles

Population3,971,896
Median Age35.0 yrs
Violent Crime Rate481 per 100k
Property Crime Rate2165 per 100k

Safety & Crime Statistics

Santa Barbara

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

Los Angeles

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

Ready to explore more?

Compare other cities or explore detailed information about each location.

Explore Santa BarbaraExplore Los Angeles

Need Help Settling In?

Moving to a new city can be overwhelming. Our relocation experts are here to help you find the perfect neighborhood, schools, and local services.

No commitment • Response within 24 hours

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to live in Los Angeles or Santa Barbara?

Los Angeles is 23.1% cheaper for housing than Santa Barbara. The median home price in Los Angeles is $673,316 compared to $875,258 in Santa Barbara, a savings of $201,942.

What is the rent difference between Santa Barbara and Los Angeles?

Monthly rent in Los Angeles averages $2,805, while Santa Barbara averages $3,647. That's a savings of $841 per month, or $10,097 annually.

How do incomes compare between Santa Barbara and Los Angeles?

The median household income in Los Angeles is $82,922, which is 0.0% lower than Santa Barbara's median of $82,922.

Which city is safer: Santa Barbara or Los Angeles?

Santa Barbara has a violent crime rate of 481 per 100k residents, while Los Angeles has 481 per 100k. Santa Barbara 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.

Popular Comparisons

New York → PhiladelphiaLos Angeles → AustinSan Francisco → AustinChicago → PhoenixNew York → Los AngelesBoston → DenverSeattle → AustinSan Francisco → DenverLos Angeles → PhoenixNew York → AtlantaChicago → DallasWashington DC → CharlotteLos Angeles → SeattleSan Francisco → PortlandNew York → PhiladelphiaBoston → AustinChicago → NashvilleSan Diego → PhoenixDenver → AustinSeattle → Denver