2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Cambridge, MA vs Santa Cruz, CA

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Santa Cruz or is it cheaper to live in Cambridge?
- Santa Cruz is 28.5% more expensive than Cambridge.

Which city has more affordable housing, Santa Cruz or Cambridge?
- Santa Cruz housing costs are 30.9% more expensive than Cambridge housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Cambridge or is Health Care more affordable in Santa Cruz.
- Health related expenses are 22.4% more in Santa Cruz.
 Cambridge, MASanta Cruz, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock186.0100
 Food & Groceries115.5  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock109.2100
 Housing321.4  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,270,800$338,100
 Utilities118  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock110.5100
 Miscellaneous176.7  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

Reviews for Cambridge    14 Reviews

Over 10 years ago

Cambridge is a great place to live. It is rather expensive, but has great access to Boston, schools and hospitals. There is a lot of construction underway that can be  More

   |    Reply

Need info on test results on tap or drinking water quality, 02139 Green St area.  More

   |    Reply

Home to both Harvard and MIT, Cambridge is the cornerstone of higher education. Residents are very intelligent and open to new ideas.   More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Cambridge

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Santa Cruz


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.