2025 Compare Cities Overview:
East Lansing, MI vs Santa Cruz, CA

Change Cities
Highlights
Are people in Santa Cruz older or younger than people in East Lansing?
- The Median Age in Santa Cruz is 7.6 years older than in East Lansing.

Are housing costs cheaper in Santa Cruz or East Lansing?
- Santa Cruz housing costs are 381.2% more expensive than East Lansing housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Santa Cruz or East Lansing?
- The average commute for residents of Santa Cruz is 7.8 minutes longer than it is for residents of East Lansing.

Things to do in East Lansing?
East Lansing MI sits adjacent to Michigan State University’s sprawling campus making it an ideal place for students attending one largest universities in the country boasting more than 50 thousand undergraduate students alone giving East Lansing an estimated 48 thousand permanent residents that call it home throughout the year. Despite its mostly college atmosphere there are plenty more options available ranging from residential housing all around the area perfect suburban settings or urban apartments right on MSU campus itself allowing those to explore different lifestyle choices depending on preferences or budget limitations if any were present at all!

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.

 East Lansing, MISanta Cruz, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock62,714329,725,481
 Median Income$41,177  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock2938.4
 Avg. Home Price$264,100  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock4.5%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time15.63  Unlock26.38
Reviews for East Lansing    4 Reviews

East Lansing is a wonderful, lively, youthful college town that has gotten better over time. You feel the strong Spartan Spirit everywhere as students, alumni and locals  More

   |    Reply

East Lansing is noted for being the home of one of the first Land Grant colleges -- Michigan State University. MSU has an large campus with an enormous area of land  More

   |    Reply

Over 17 years ago

East Lansing is a very pretty town. The town has had frequent problems with student rioters. Overall 60% of the town is composed of students. I would recommend East  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of East Lansing

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.