Santa Cruz, CA Economy


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Santa Cruz, CA is an attractive city set on the Northern California coast. It offers stunning views, beautiful beaches, and a vibrant and diverse community. Local companies include Kaiser Permanente, Plantronics, Big Creek Lumber Co., O'Neill, Santa Cruz Bicycles, and Venture Construction Group of America. The city has an array of attractions from outdoor activities such as kayaking and surfing to cultural offerings like the famous Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History. Rent for a two bedroom apartment in Santa Cruz is around $3,680, while the average US rent is $1,430. The grocery cost index in Santa Cruz is 112 compared to the national average of 100. With its great climate and quality of life, it's easy to see why so many people choose to make their home in Santa Cruz.

Santa Cruz has an unemployment rate of 4.5%. The US average is 6.0%.

Santa Cruz has seen the job market increase by 1.8% over the last year. Future job growth over the next ten years is predicted to be 33.8%, which is higher than the US average of 33.5%.

Tax Rates for Santa Cruz
- The Sales Tax Rate for Santa Cruz is 9.0%. The US average is 7.3%.
- The Income Tax Rate for Santa Cruz is 9.3%. The US average is 4.6%.
- Tax Rates can have a big impact when Comparing Cost of Living.

Income and Salaries for Santa Cruz
- The average income of a Santa Cruz resident is $29,177 a year. The US average is $28,555 a year.
- The Median household income of a Santa Cruz resident is $96,217 a year. The US average is $69,021 a year.

Income by Population Percent

  EconomySanta Cruz, CaliforniaUnited States
  4.56
  -9.8%-6.2%
  33.8%33.5%
  9.3%6.2%
  8.0%4.6%
  $46,720$37,638
  $96,217$69,021
  $145,326$85,028
  Population by Occupation
  1.2%1.2%
  0.0%0.5%
  3.7%6.8%
  6.5%10.0%
  0.7%2.5%
  10.7%11.0%
  2.1%4.8%
  1.0%0.8%
  3.2%1.9%
  2.0%4.7%
  1.7%1.9%
  12.0%7.6%
  0.0%0.1%
  2.4%4.2%
  20.9%9.3%
  11.1%14.0%
  3.5%2.1%
  10.6%7.0%
  4.0%4.8%
  2.6%4.7%
Reviews for Santa Cruz
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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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