2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Renton, WA vs Santa Cruz, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Santa Cruz or is it cheaper to live in Renton?
- Santa Cruz is 17.6% more expensive than Renton.

Which city has more affordable housing, Santa Cruz or Renton?
- Santa Cruz housing costs are 96.9% more expensive than Renton housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Renton or is Health Care more affordable in Santa Cruz.
- Health related expenses are 23.8% more in Santa Cruz.
 Renton, WASanta Cruz, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock186.0100
 Food & Groceries104.1  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock109.2100
 Housing213.7  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,270,800$338,100
 Utilities72  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock110.5100
 Miscellaneous150.5  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Renton    5 Reviews

Over 4 years ago

If you are looking for clean air, country atmosphere, friendly and cordial neighbors, and the charm of old, soothing and patriotic America, this is your best  More

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Over 9 years ago

We have 2 kids at RCS and they are receiving a fantastic education in an environment that is welcoming to all. They do teach from a biblical point of view so the moral  More

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Living in Renton has so many positive things. There are many smaller communities, each having a slightly different climate. You have good schools, recreation, employment  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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