CostIndexUSA

Pueblo, CO vs Santa Barbara, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableCO
Pueblo
91.8
overall index
$1,250/mo rent
CA
Santa Barbara
108.8
overall index
$2,275/mo rent

Pueblo is significantly cheaper than Santa Barbara — 18.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Pueblo, you would need $94,800 in Santa Barbara. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+112.3%
Pueblo
71.3
Santa Barbara
151.4
🛒 Groceries+9.5%
Pueblo
96.1
Santa Barbara
105.2
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Pueblo
104.8
Santa Barbara
105.3
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Pueblo
94.8
Santa Barbara
95.3
Utilities+82.9%
Pueblo
81.9
Santa Barbara
149.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Pueblo to see what you'd need to earn in Santa Barbara to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Santa Barbara, CA
$94,800
$14,800 more needed in Santa Barbara

Formula: salary × (108.8 ÷ 91.8) = salary × 1.1852. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Pueblo, CO

Median Home Price
$281,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,250
Housing Index
71.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.7×

Santa Barbara, CA

Median Home Price
$510,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,275
Housing Index
151.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.7×

Santa Barbara has 112.3% higher housing costs compared to Pueblo.

Income & Job Market

Pueblo, CO

Median Household Income
$65,200
Per Capita Income
$37,200
Unemployment Rate
3.5%
Population
111,876
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingGovernmentRetailAgriculture

Santa Barbara, CA

Median Household Income
$91,200
Per Capita Income
$52,000
Unemployment Rate
6.1%
Population
88,255
Top Industries
EducationTourismTechnologyHealthcareBiotechnology

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Pueblo, CO
4.3×income-to-rent ratio

77% of income left after rent (median)

Santa Barbara, CA
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

70% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.