2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Palm Springs, CA vs Scotts Valley, CA

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Scotts Valley or is it cheaper to live in Palm Springs?
- Scotts Valley is 41.8% more expensive than Palm Springs.

Which city has more affordable housing, Scotts Valley or Palm Springs?
- Scotts Valley housing costs are 116.2% more expensive than Palm Springs housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Palm Springs or is Health Care more affordable in Scotts Valley.
- Health related expenses are 25.1% more in Scotts Valley.
 Palm Springs, CAScotts Valley, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock186.0100
 Food & Groceries100.1  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock109.2100
 Housing185.9  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,132,400$338,100
 Utilities114  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock117.0100
 Miscellaneous112.1  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

Reviews for Palm Springs    12 Reviews

I lived in Palm Springs for 12 years and initially it appeared to be quite beautiful. The mountains are beautiful and palm trees, very stress-free and manageable.  More

   |    Reply

Over 5 years ago

14 years is plenty long enough. This is a nice place to visit, not live. In the last 20 years the air quality, especially in the summer has deteriorated considerably.  More

   |    Reply

Ghetto Crime City with lots of glitz... Police do nothing. Called 911 three times in a year: twice, no response. Provided the license plate of the criminals in two  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Palm Springs

Reviews for Scotts Valley    4 Reviews

Over 2 years ago

We lived and worked in Scotts Valley for a number of years. It's a nice enough city, safe and clean unlike some areas of Santa Cruz. It's well managed and the schools  More

   |    Reply

Over 7 years ago

Great weather and small town feel but it is changing rapidly  More

   |    Reply

Over 11 years ago

Scotts Valley is an ideal, small town with many wonderful features. It's just 10 minutes from the beaches in nearby Santa Cruz yet doesn't get the wet fog because it's  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Scotts Valley


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.