2025 Compare Cities Economy:
Ithaca, NY vs Santa Cruz, CA

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Highlights
- Household income in Santa Cruz, is 135% more than it is in Ithaca and is 28% above the National Average.
- Ithaca unemployment rate is 4.5%.
- Santa Cruz unemployment rate is 4.5%.
 Ithaca, NYSanta Cruz, CAUnited States
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock4.5%6.0%
 Recent Job Growth  Unlock1.8%1.6%
 Future Job Growth27.9%  Unlock33.5%
 Sales Taxes8.0%  Unlock6.2%
 Income Taxes  Unlock8.0%4.6%
 Income per Cap.$26,423  Unlock$37,638
 Household Income  Unlock$96,217$69,021
 Family Median Income$107,940  Unlock$85,028
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 Est. Households By Income
 Ithaca, NYSanta Cruz, CAUnited States
 Income Less Than 15K  Unlock10.7%9.4%
 Income between 15K and 20K4.8%  Unlock3.8%
 Income between 20K and 30K  Unlock7.9%8.1%
 Income between 30K and 40K9.7%  Unlock8.0%
 Income between 40K and 50K  Unlock4.6%7.6%
 Income between 50K and 60K6.4%  Unlock7.2%
 Income between 60K and 75K  Unlock6.1%9.6%
 Income between 75K and 100K7.3%  Unlock12.8%
 Income between 100K and 150K  Unlock16.1%16.3%
 Income between 150K and 200K5.4%  Unlock7.8%
 Income greater than 200K  Unlock20.7%9.5%
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 Population By Occupation
 Ithaca, NYSanta Cruz, CAUnited States
 Management, business, finance11.6%  Unlock16.4%
 Engineering, computers, science  Unlock12.2%6.5%
 Community, social services3.7%  Unlock1.8%
 Legal  Unlock0.7%1.2%
 Education, library22.5%  Unlock6.2%
 Arts, design, media, sports, entertainment  Unlock4.3%2.0%
 Healthcare practitioners and technology2.1%  Unlock6.2%
 Healthcare support  Unlock1.9%3.3%
 Firefighters, law enforcement2.2%  Unlock2.1%
 Food preparation, serving  Unlock9.9%5.4%
 Building maintenance1.3%  Unlock3.6%
 Personal care  Unlock3.3%2.6%
 Sales, office, administrative support16.8%  Unlock20.9%
 Farming, fishing, forestry  Unlock0.9%0.6%
 Construction, extraction, maintenance/repair2.0%  Unlock8.1%
 Production, transportation, material moving  Unlock5.2%13.1%
Reviews for Ithaca    32 Reviews

BILL · 

For a small city, its downtown has grown significantly and serves as the hub of the community. The Ithaca Commons remains the central gathering space for locals,  More

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Over 4 years ago

Great place to live. Lots to do, vibrant culture, and beautiful scenery. Don't fear the winter--it's even beautiful then. Only complaint is the housing market. Way  More

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I was born, raised, educated there (Ithaca High and Cornell). In my opinion, before leaving to pursue my career, it seemed like the most beautiful, clean, low crime,  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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