2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Melbourne, FL vs Santa Cruz, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Santa Cruz or is it cheaper to live in Melbourne?
- Santa Cruz is 94.6% more expensive than Melbourne.

Which city has more affordable housing, Santa Cruz or Melbourne?
- Santa Cruz housing costs are 342.8% more expensive than Melbourne housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Melbourne or is Health Care more affordable in Santa Cruz.
- Health related expenses are 9.3% more in Santa Cruz.
 Melbourne, FLSanta Cruz, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock186.0100
 Food & Groceries100.1  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock109.2100
 Housing95.0  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,270,800$338,100
 Utilities97  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock110.5100
 Miscellaneous105.4  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Melbourne    28 Reviews

Over 4 years ago

Moved here from Ohio 3 months ago, trying not to be disappointed, there isn't much to do, its really small and shopping is bad. I wanted out of Cleveland but didn't  More

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I have lived in many areas of this town. It is growing and has a nice selection of older and very new areas. The access to beaches and parks is quick and well kept.   More

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The rating on here is accurate. Crime is rather high. There's shootings and killings constantly. If you're coming from another state, just check floridatoday.com at  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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