CostIndexUSA

Santa Barbara, CA vs Vallejo, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

≈ Equal CostCA
Santa Barbara
108.8
overall index
$2,275/mo rent
CA
Vallejo
108.5
overall index
$2,375/mo rent

Santa Barbara and Vallejo have nearly identical costs of living.

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing6.2%
Santa Barbara
151.4
Vallejo
142
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Santa Barbara
105.2
Vallejo
105.2
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Santa Barbara
105.3
Vallejo
105.3
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Santa Barbara
95.3
Vallejo
95.3
Utilities+3.5%
Santa Barbara
149.8
Vallejo
155

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Vallejo, CA
$79,800
$200 less needed in Vallejo

Formula: salary × (108.5 ÷ 108.8) = salary × 0.9972. 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×

Vallejo, CA

Median Home Price
$567,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,375
Housing Index
142
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.9×

Santa Barbara has 6.2% lower housing costs compared to Vallejo.

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

Vallejo, CA

Median Household Income
$100,000
Per Capita Income
$57,000
Unemployment Rate
4.9%
Population
121,253
Top Industries
HealthcareMilitaryManufacturingRetailGovernment

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)

Vallejo, CA
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

72% 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.