San Buenaventura (Ventura) vs Santa Maria: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of San Buenaventura (Ventura), CA and Santa Maria, CA, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | San Buenaventura (Ventura), CA | Santa Maria, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 110,358 | 109,543 |
| Median household income | $96,036 | $81,237 |
| Median home value | $714,000 | $438,100 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $1,942 | $1,768 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing San Buenaventura (Ventura), CA and Santa Maria, CA comes down to what you value most. Santa Maria has the lower median home value, and Santa Maria has the lower median rent.
San Buenaventura (Ventura) has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in San Buenaventura (Ventura) or Santa Maria?
- By median home value, Santa Maria is the cheaper of the two ($438,100 vs $714,000). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, San Buenaventura (Ventura) or Santa Maria?
- Median household income is $96,036 in San Buenaventura (Ventura) versus $81,237 in Santa Maria, per the US Census Bureau.