2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Atlanta, GA vs Santa Cruz, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Santa Cruz or is it cheaper to live in Atlanta?
- Santa Cruz is 64.2% more expensive than Atlanta.

Which city has more affordable housing, Santa Cruz or Atlanta?
- Santa Cruz housing costs are 267.1% more expensive than Atlanta housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Atlanta or is Health Care more affordable in Santa Cruz.
- Health related expenses are 10.5% more in Santa Cruz.
 Atlanta, GASanta Cruz, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock186.0100
 Food & Groceries98.8  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock109.2100
 Housing114.6  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,270,800$338,100
 Utilities104  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock110.5100
 Miscellaneous103.4  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Atlanta    318 Reviews

Lots of traffic near the airport at all times. Adds about 1.5 hrs to a 30 min commute. Great food and culture in downtown ATL area.  More

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Honestly the greater Atlanta area is the best place I've ever lived. There is so much diversity, delicious food, shopping, etc. The traffic really isn't that bad if you  More

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Over 2 years ago

I've lived just outside of Atlanta for 22 years and have spent a year deep within the hustle and bustle of the city. It's really NOT that bad. The crime really isn't  More

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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 5 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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