2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Carlsbad, CA vs Scotts Valley, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Scotts Valley or is it cheaper to live in Carlsbad?
- Scotts Valley is 20.1% more expensive than Carlsbad.

Which city has more affordable housing, Scotts Valley or Carlsbad?
- Scotts Valley housing costs are 2.6% more expensive than Carlsbad housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Carlsbad or is Health Care more affordable in Scotts Valley.
- Health related expenses are 22.7% more in Scotts Valley.
 Carlsbad, CAScotts Valley, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock186.0100
 Food & Groceries113.5  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock109.2100
 Housing391.6  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,132,400$338,100
 Utilities97  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock117.0100
 Miscellaneous154.1  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Carlsbad    38 Reviews

I've lived in Carlsbad (92008) for 8 years now and really appreciate all that it has to offer. Yes, ALL of San Diego County is expensive, but Carlsbad has [possibly]  More

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Over 4 years ago

Carlson has the worst winters. It averages about 10 meters of snow per week. Every shop is  More

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Ok, I get it, the climate is mild and tolerable but even that is over-rated when you consider how many cloudy days there are in this town. The sun coming out at 3 and  More

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Reviews for Scotts Valley    4 Reviews

Over 2 years ago

We lived and worked in Scotts Valley for a number of years. It's a nice enough city, safe and clean unlike some areas of Santa Cruz. It's well managed and the schools  More

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Over 7 years ago

Great weather and small town feel but it is changing rapidly  More

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Over 11 years ago

Scotts Valley is an ideal, small town with many wonderful features. It's just 10 minutes from the beaches in nearby Santa Cruz yet doesn't get the wet fog because it's  More

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