2025 Compare Cities Housing:
Chicago, IL vs Santa Cruz, CA

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Highlights
- The median age of a home in Chicago is 25.7% older than the median age of a home in Santa Cruz.
 Chicago, ILSanta Cruz, CAUnited States
 Median Home Age70  Unlock42
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,270,800$338,100
 Home Appr. Last 12 months10.1%  Unlock16.6%
 Home Appr. Last 5 yrs.  Unlock34.8%57.0%
 Home Appr. Last 10 yrs.66.0%  Unlock101.1%
 Property Tax Rate  Unlock$6.2$11.0
 Homes Owned40.5%  Unlock57.4%
 Housing Vacant  Unlock8.2%11.2%
 Homes Rented48.3%  Unlock31.4%
 space
 Avg Rent For Home Or Apartment
 Chicago, ILSanta Cruz, CAUnited States
 Average Rent  Unlock$4,500$1,840
 Studio Apartment$1,190  Unlock$1,080
 1 Bedroom Home or Apartment  Unlock$2,800$1,180
 2 Bedroom Home or Apartment$1,480  Unlock$1,430
 3 Bedroom Home or Apartment  Unlock$4,560$1,860
 4 Bedroom Home or Apartment$2,230  Unlock$2,160
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 Vacant Housing
 Chicago, ILSanta Cruz, CAUnited States
 Vacant For Rent  Unlock0.9%1.9%
 Vacant Rented0.4%  Unlock0.4%
 Vacant For Sale  Unlock0.6%0.7%
 Vacant Sold0.3%  Unlock0.4%
 Vacant Vacation  Unlock2.6%3.6%
 Vacant Other5.9%  Unlock4.1%
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 Owner-Occupied Housing Value
 Chicago, ILSanta Cruz, CAUnited States
 Less Than $20,000  Unlock1.4%2.6%
 $20,000 to $39,9990.9%  Unlock2.4%
 $40,000 to $59,999  Unlock0.0%2.8%
 $60,000 to $79,9991.8%  Unlock3.9%
 $80,000 to $99,999  Unlock0.2%4.5%
 $100,000 to $149,9998.8%  Unlock11.3%
 $150,000 to $199,999  Unlock0.7%13.0%
 $200,000 to $299,99924.5%  Unlock20.1%
 $300,000 to $399,999  Unlock2.5%13.6%
 $400,000 to $499,9999.6%  Unlock8.3%
 $500,000 to $749,999  Unlock12.4%9.7%
 $750,000 to $999,9994.0%  Unlock3.9%
 $1,000,000 to $1,499,999  Unlock28.0%2.2%
 $1,500,000 to $1,999,9990.9%  Unlock0.8%
 $2,000,000 and over  Unlock4.5%1.1%
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 Housing Units By Year Built
 Chicago, ILSanta Cruz, CAUnited States
 2015 and Newer0.0%  Unlock0.2%
 2010 to 2014  Unlock8.0%13.6%
 2000 to 20098.0%  Unlock13.6%
 1990 to 1999  Unlock9.9%13.6%
 1980 to 19894.8%  Unlock13.2%
 1970 to 1979  Unlock18.3%14.8%
 1960 to 19695.1%  Unlock13.6%
 1950 to 1959  Unlock12.5%10.0%
 1940 to 19498.8%  Unlock4.7%
 1939 or Earlier  Unlock18.2%12.2%
Reviews for Chicago    270 Reviews

I've lived in Chicago city and later moved to suburbs when family size increased. Absolutely love this city. This is the cleanest and most beautiful among the major  More

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Chicago is probably the best value in a major city that you can find and my personal favorite city. It will become increasingly important as climate change makes the  More

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I've live on north side and south side, UIC medical center. Don't move here go to the north side. No good amenities, if you get bored with one there is no other choices.  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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