CostIndexUSA

Napa, CA vs Santa Barbara, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Napa
112.6
overall index
$2,825/mo rent
More AffordableCA
Santa Barbara
108.8
overall index
$2,275/mo rent

Santa Barbara is slightly cheaper than Napa — 3.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Napa, you would need $77,300 in Santa Barbara. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing23.3%
Napa
197.4
Santa Barbara
151.4
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Napa
105.2
Santa Barbara
105.2
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Napa
105.3
Santa Barbara
105.3
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Napa
95.3
Santa Barbara
95.3
Utilities4.3%
Napa
156.5
Santa Barbara
149.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Santa Barbara, CA
$77,300
$2,700 less needed in Santa Barbara

Formula: salary × (108.8 ÷ 112.6) = salary × 0.9663. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Napa, CA

Median Home Price
$867,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,825
Housing Index
197.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
25.6×

Santa Barbara, CA

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

Napa has 23.3% lower housing costs compared to Santa Barbara.

Income & Job Market

Napa, CA

Median Household Income
$104,700
Per Capita Income
$59,700
Unemployment Rate
3.7%
Population
79,426
Top Industries
WineTourismHealthcareAgricultureRetail

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).

Napa, CA
3.1×income-to-rent ratio

68% 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.