2025 Compare Cities Economy:
Melbourne, FL vs Santa Cruz, CA

Change Cities
Highlights
- Household income in Santa Cruz, is 73% more than it is in Melbourne and is 28% above the National Average.
- Melbourne unemployment rate is 4.7%.
- Santa Cruz unemployment rate is 4.5%.
 Melbourne, FLSanta Cruz, CAUnited States
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock4.5%6.0%
 Recent Job Growth  Unlock1.8%1.6%
 Future Job Growth40.7%  Unlock33.5%
 Sales Taxes7.0%  Unlock6.2%
 Income Taxes  Unlock8.0%4.6%
 Income per Cap.$30,940  Unlock$37,638
 Household Income  Unlock$96,217$69,021
 Family Median Income$67,971  Unlock$85,028
 space
 Est. Households By Income
 Melbourne, FLSanta Cruz, CAUnited States
 Income Less Than 15K  Unlock10.7%9.4%
 Income between 15K and 20K6.2%  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 60K7.7%  Unlock7.2%
 Income between 60K and 75K  Unlock6.1%9.6%
 Income between 75K and 100K13.1%  Unlock12.8%
 Income between 100K and 150K  Unlock16.1%16.3%
 Income between 150K and 200K4.2%  Unlock7.8%
 Income greater than 200K  Unlock20.7%9.5%
 space1
 Population By Occupation
 Melbourne, FLSanta Cruz, CAUnited States
 Management, business, finance12.5%  Unlock16.4%
 Engineering, computers, science  Unlock12.2%6.5%
 Community, social services1.7%  Unlock1.8%
 Legal  Unlock0.7%1.2%
 Education, library5.2%  Unlock6.2%
 Arts, design, media, sports, entertainment  Unlock4.3%2.0%
 Healthcare practitioners and technology7.3%  Unlock6.2%
 Healthcare support  Unlock1.9%3.3%
 Firefighters, law enforcement2.4%  Unlock2.1%
 Food preparation, serving  Unlock9.9%5.4%
 Building maintenance3.7%  Unlock3.6%
 Personal care  Unlock3.3%2.6%
 Sales, office, administrative support21.7%  Unlock20.9%
 Farming, fishing, forestry  Unlock0.9%0.6%
 Construction, extraction, maintenance/repair8.0%  Unlock8.1%
 Production, transportation, material moving  Unlock5.2%13.1%
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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Melbourne

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.