CostIndexUSA

Santa Barbara, CA vs Yuma, AZ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Santa Barbara
108.8
overall index
$2,275/mo rent
More AffordableAZ
Yuma
92.7
overall index
$1,375/mo rent

Yuma is moderately cheaper than Santa Barbara — 14.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Santa Barbara, you would need $68,200 in Yuma. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing51.3%
Santa Barbara
151.4
Yuma
73.8
🛒 Groceries8.6%
Santa Barbara
105.2
Yuma
96.2
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Santa Barbara
105.3
Yuma
104.8
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Santa Barbara
95.3
Yuma
94.8
Utilities41.4%
Santa Barbara
149.8
Yuma
87.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Yuma, AZ
$68,200
$11,800 less needed in Yuma

Formula: salary × (92.7 ÷ 108.8) = salary × 0.8520. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Santa Barbara, CA

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

Yuma, AZ

Median Home Price
$279,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,375
Housing Index
73.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.9×

Santa Barbara has 51.3% lower housing costs compared to Yuma.

Income & Job Market

Santa Barbara, CA

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

Yuma, AZ

Median Household Income
$62,900
Per Capita Income
$35,900
Unemployment Rate
6.8%
Population
95,548
Top Industries
MilitaryAgricultureHealthcareRetailGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

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

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

70% of income left after rent (median)

Yuma, AZ
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

74% 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.