2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Santa Barbara, CA vs Scotts Valley, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Scotts Valley older or younger than people in Santa Barbara?
- The Median Age in Scotts Valley is 7.2 years older than in Santa Barbara.

Are housing costs cheaper in Scotts Valley or Santa Barbara?
- Scotts Valley housing costs are 25.8% less expensive than Santa Barbara housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Scotts Valley or Santa Barbara?
- The average commute for residents of Scotts Valley is 10.6 minutes longer than it is for residents of Santa Barbara.

Things to do in Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara, California has something for everyone - from fantastic beaches to world-class shopping and dining experiences. Visitors can explore Old Mission Santa Barbara or take part in various water activities around Stearns Wharf.

Things to do in Scotts Valley?
Scotts Valley, California is a beautiful small town located in Santa Cruz County. Nestled between rolling hills and the Pacific Coast, Scotts Valley offers breathtaking views and plenty of outdoor activities. There are also many local businesses and attractions, making it a great spot for visitors and residents alike. With its mild climate and friendly atmosphere, Scotts Valley is the perfect place to live or visit.

 Santa Barbara, CAScotts Valley, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock12,317329,725,481
 Median Income$89,243  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock46.338.4
 Avg. Home Price$1,525,500  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock8.1%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time17.15  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Santa Barbara    51 Reviews

I moved to Santa Barbara around 23 years ago to study at Brooks, which like most of the Santa Barbara that I knew—has been destroyed. Homelessness, drugs, gangs, high  More

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Over 4 years ago

I fell in love with Santa Barbara about thirty years ago and finally moved here a few years ago. Because of the price of homes, it is an expensive place to live. The  More

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If you like high crime, paying a $4,500 a month mortgage and crazy high taxes, this is the place for you. It’s too bad because it wasn’t always like this. When I moved  More

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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

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Over 7 years ago

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

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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

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