2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Huntington Beach, CA vs Santa Cruz, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Santa Cruz older or younger than people in Huntington Beach?
- The Median Age in Santa Cruz is 14.1 years younger than in Huntington Beach.

Are housing costs cheaper in Santa Cruz or Huntington Beach?
- Santa Cruz housing costs are 19.5% more expensive than Huntington Beach housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Santa Cruz or Huntington Beach?
- The average commute for residents of Santa Cruz is 5.5 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Huntington Beach.

Things to do in Huntington Beach?
Huntington Beach, California is a beautiful beach city with plenty of attractions for everyone. Nature lovers can explore the miles of shoreline or take a stroll along the iconic Huntington Beach Pier. History buffs should head to The International Surfing Museum to learn more about the area's past. Sports fans can catch a game at Huntington Beach Sports Complex, while foodies can sample all kinds of delicious eats throughout town. Shopping lovers should check out Main Street or Pacific City for good deals on all kinds of items. With its picturesque coastline and myriad activities, Huntington Beach is a great place to visit!

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.

 Huntington Beach, CASanta Cruz, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock62,714329,725,481
 Median Income$104,728  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock2938.4
 Avg. Home Price$1,063,100  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock4.5%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time28.93  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Huntington Beach    33 Reviews

Lived here for a couple months now. Love the beach and the weather. Nice boardwalk to walk or ride your bike. Overall nice clean feel and vibe. Only move here if you  More

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Over 7 years ago

Overdevelopment has ruined the city, Housing is overpriced - overseas investors, corporate housing, sober living houses (there are many throughout the city) and AirB&B  More

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Over 10 years ago

The population of Huntington Beach is much more than that. It was actually 199,189 according to the city's  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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