2025 Compare Cities Rankings:
Princeton, NJ vs Santa Cruz, CA

#1 Best and Worst Airports to make a Connection List

#2 Best Airports to Make a Connection

#4 Most Competitive Private Colleges

#6 Sleep in the City Study

#6 Most Competitive Public Colleges

#35 America's Best and Worst Cities for Crime (Mid-Size Metro Areas)

#74 Best Green Cities

#169 2005 Best Places to Live

#18 Most Competitive Public Colleges

#27 Best Green Cities

#41 America's Best and Worst Cities for Crime (Mid-Size Metro Areas)

#124 2005 Best Places to Live

Many cities have colleges in them, but Princeton's character and quality of life are very deeply influenced by having such an outstanding school contributing to all  More

police are very quick to respond and resolve crime problems. very safe place to live. when you feel safe, all other issues are  More

You'll never lose on a real estate investment in Princeton. It has that cache that people always desire. McCarter Theatre, University concerts, fine dining, great  More

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

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

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