2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Bellingham, WA vs Santa Cruz, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Santa Cruz older or younger than people in Bellingham?
- The Median Age in Santa Cruz is 4.5 years younger than in Bellingham.

Are housing costs cheaper in Santa Cruz or Bellingham?
- Santa Cruz housing costs are 109.6% more expensive than Bellingham housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Santa Cruz or Bellingham?
- The average commute for residents of Santa Cruz is 5.7 minutes longer than it is for residents of Bellingham.

Things to do in Bellingham?
Bellingham, Washington offers stunning views of Puget Sound with plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities such as hiking trails in Chuckanut Mountains or boating in Marine Life Sanctuary Area nearby Bellingham Bay's shoreline.. This city is also known for its vibrant arts scene with museums, galleries and theaters scattered across town making it perfect for culture lovers wanting an immersive experience!

Things to do in Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz, California is an incredible city located in the heart of the Monterey Bay area. This beautiful city offers plenty for visitors to explore such as the stunning natural beaches or the charming downtown area. Residents here also take advantage of all the outdoor activities available at Santa Cruz Boardwalk and Beach, Wilder Ranch State Park, and Seymour Marine Discovery Center. With its excellent school systems, thriving businesses, and numerous recreational opportunities, it's no wonder why so many people choose to make Santa Cruz their home.

 Bellingham, WASanta Cruz, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock62,714329,725,481
 Median Income$59,163  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock2938.4
 Avg. Home Price$606,400  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock4.5%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time17.72  Unlock26.38
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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