Santa Maria vs Dearborn: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Santa Maria, CA and Dearborn, MI, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Santa Maria, CA | Dearborn, MI |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,543 | 108,414 |
| Median household income | $81,237 | $64,600 |
| Median home value | $438,100 | $189,400 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $1,768 | $1,205 |
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 Dearborn, MI comes down to what you value most. Dearborn has the lower median home value, and Dearborn has the lower median rent.
Santa Maria 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 Dearborn?
- By median home value, Dearborn is the cheaper of the two ($189,400 vs $438,100). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Santa Maria or Dearborn?
- Median household income is $81,237 in Santa Maria versus $64,600 in Dearborn, per the US Census Bureau.