Signals
Isla Vista
Santa Maria
Opportunity
46 · Bottom 28%
vs47 · Bottom 30%
Climate
89 · Top 8%
vs89 · Top 8%
Physical resilience
20 · Bottom 13%
vs20 · Bottom 13%
Housing affordability
0 · Bottom 1%
vs49 · Bottom 10%
Access
74 · Bottom 16%
vs95 · Top 40%
Economic stability
29 · Bottom 6%
vs56 · Bottom 42%
Measured values
| Metric | Isla Vista | Santa Maria | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 13,920 | 110,462 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $25,972 | $84,746 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $14,110 | $27,440 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 25,263/sq mi | 4,843/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $1,218,800 | $531,700 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,878 | $1,925 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 1.2% | 50.2% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 4.2% | 4.8% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -0.7% | -0.7% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 43.7% | 15.7% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 70.4% | 17.3% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Average July high | 71°F | 73°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 43°F | 41°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 19.0" | 13.3" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 48 mi | 2 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 17.5 min | 24.2 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 21.2 | 29.3 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Isla Vista
Elevated or high exposure: landslide, drought, earthquake.
Santa Maria
Elevated or high exposure: landslide, drought, earthquake.
Your best match
Weight what matters to you. Your preferences stay in this browser and never change either Area Score.
Isla Vista
43
Your Score
—
Area Score
Santa Maria
58
Your Score
52
Area Score
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Full profiles: Isla Vista, CA · Santa Maria, CA · How this is calculated: methodology