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2024 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Santa Cruz, CA vs Salinas, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Salinas or is it cheaper to live in Santa Cruz?
- Salinas is 18.3% less expensive than Santa Cruz.

Which city has more affordable housing, Salinas or Santa Cruz?
- Salinas housing costs are 48.8% less expensive than Santa Cruz housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Santa Cruz or is Health Care more affordable in Salinas.
- Health related expenses are 31.6% more in Salinas.
 Santa Cruz, CASalinas, CAUnited States
 Overall186.0151.9100
 Food & Groceries111.5104.5100
 Health109.2143.7100
 Housing420.7215.5100
 Median Home Cost$1,270,800$665,400$338,100
 Utilities9,350.0%9,150.0%10,000.0%
 Transportation110.5100.4100
 Miscellaneous155.7112.9100

100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Santa Cruz    44 Reviews

I lived in the Santa Cruz area for 20 years. UCSC alum. Our kids were born there. There are wonderful things about Santa Cruz, but also many serious problems that we  More

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Over 4 years ago

I have been here for four generations! My kids are the fifth. I guess that should tell you how wonderful it is here, at least for us. It's so cool to have world class  More

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I was born over the hill in San Jose area, and as a kid I loved coming over to the boardwalk. Santa Cruz has always been and always will be a town of diversity,  More

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Reviews for Salinas    15 Reviews

Over 10 years ago

Sacred Heart School is a fine Catholic school in the heart of Salinas, Ca. Victoria Torcolini was principal of this PK-8 school from 2006-2009. Under her leadership, SHS  More

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Over 12 years ago

I Was born and raise in salinas. In 2006 my family moved to the central valley. I moved back to salinas in 2011. I moved back Because I got a better job in Carmel. I  More

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Salinas, California has some of the best weather in Central California. I love looking out at the mountain ranges that line the Salinas River Valley. It's a shame that  More

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ZIPS IN SANTA CRUZ, CALIFORNIA
95060 95064
ZIPS IN SALINAS, CALIFORNIA
93906 93905 93901

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