2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Bellingham, WA vs Santa Cruz, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Santa Cruz or is it cheaper to live in Bellingham?
- Santa Cruz is 58.3% more expensive than Bellingham.

Which city has more affordable housing, Santa Cruz or Bellingham?
- Santa Cruz housing costs are 119.5% more expensive than Bellingham housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Bellingham or is Health Care more affordable in Santa Cruz.
- Health related expenses are 12.3% more in Santa Cruz.
 Bellingham, WASanta Cruz, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock186.0100
 Food & Groceries102.8  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock109.2100
 Housing191.7  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,270,800$338,100
 Utilities70  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock110.5100
 Miscellaneous141.1  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Bellingham    58 Reviews

Over 3 years ago

I've lived in so many cities in 5 west coast states and have come to a conclusion that Bellingham is the greatest city to live, work, play and raise a family. After  More

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Over 4 years ago

From what I’ve seen and heard, the very liberal political/ethical beliefs of Bellingham residents, as well as the grey rainy weather, are the main things a few people  More

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If you’re like many Americans and caught up in right vs left you won’t like the far left here in Bellingham wa. If you put politics away and you enjoy skiing,  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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