2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Brookings, OR vs Santa Cruz, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Santa Cruz older or younger than people in Brookings?
- The Median Age in Santa Cruz is 25.5 years younger than in Brookings.

Are housing costs cheaper in Santa Cruz or Brookings?
- Santa Cruz housing costs are 184.9% more expensive than Brookings housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Santa Cruz or Brookings?
- The average commute for residents of Santa Cruz is 9.0 minutes longer than it is for residents of Brookings.

Things to do in Brookings?
Living in Brookings, OR is an incredible experience. The town is situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Siskiyou National Forest, making it a great place to explore nature. With a population of just over 6,000 people, Brookings is a small but mighty community that offers plenty of things to do and see. From stunning beaches to lush forests, you can find something to do outdoors no matter what time of year it is. There are also great restaurants and shops in town, as well as several annual events like the Azalea Festival for visitors to enjoy. No matter what your interests may be, there is sure to be something for everyone in Brookings!

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.

 Brookings, ORSanta Cruz, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock62,714329,725,481
 Median Income$72,273  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock2938.4
 Avg. Home Price$446,100  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock4.5%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time14.42  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Brookings    29 Reviews

Over 3 years ago

Brookings Oregon is one of the most beautiful places in the world and has perfect weather. I searched for a retirement home, on the beach, for nearly ten years before  More

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Over 4 years ago

Brookings is an interesting place, very nice scenery, and excellent weather. The "locals" who inhabit this place are some of the most ignorant biased people you will  More

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Retired and moved here with my husband in 2020. Best decision we ever made. Amazing weather...even the rainy days are punctuated by crisp, sunny days in the winter. Not  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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