Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
New York City and Santa Barbara have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: New York salaries · California salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. New York City has a housing index of 302 while Santa Barbara sits at 340 (national average = 100). The median home in New York City costs $680,000 compared to $1,200,000 in Santa Barbara, a difference of $520,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $3,200 in New York City versus $3,000 in Santa Barbara.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: New York City scores 109 while Santa Barbara scores 112.
Healthcare costs in New York City (108) are lower than Santa Barbara (110).
Median household income in New York City is $67,046 compared to $70,819 in Santa Barbara. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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