Santa Maria vs Temecula: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Santa Maria, CA and Temecula, CA, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Santa Maria, CA | Temecula, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,543 | 110,114 |
| Median household income | $81,237 | $111,881 |
| Median home value | $438,100 | $604,300 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $1,768 | $2,222 |
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 Santa Maria, CA and Temecula, CA comes down to what you value most. Santa Maria has the lower median home value, and Santa Maria has the lower median rent.
Temecula 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 Santa Maria or Temecula?
- By median home value, Santa Maria is the cheaper of the two ($438,100 vs $604,300). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Santa Maria or Temecula?
- Median household income is $81,237 in Santa Maria versus $111,881 in Temecula, per the US Census Bureau.