Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Brooklyn and Santa Barbara have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: New York salaries · California salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Brooklyn has a housing index of 325 while Santa Barbara sits at 340 (national average = 100). The median home in Brooklyn costs $780,000 compared to $1,200,000 in Santa Barbara, a difference of $420,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $2,900 in Brooklyn versus $3,000 in Santa Barbara.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Brooklyn scores 108 while Santa Barbara scores 112.
Healthcare costs in Brooklyn (108) are lower than Santa Barbara (110).
Median household income in Brooklyn is $65,294 compared to $70,819 in Santa Barbara. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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