2025 Compare Cities Economy:
Santa Cruz, CA vs Anchorage, AK

Change Cities
Highlights
- Household income in Anchorage, is 8% less than it is in Santa Cruz and is 22% above the National Average.
- Santa Cruz unemployment rate is 4.5%.
- Anchorage unemployment rate is 6.6%.
 Santa Cruz, CAAnchorage, AKUnited States
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock6.6%6.0%
 Recent Job Growth  Unlock-0.8%1.6%
 Future Job Growth33.8%  Unlock33.5%
 Sales Taxes9.3%  Unlock6.2%
 Income Taxes  Unlock0.0%4.6%
 Income per Cap.$46,720  Unlock$37,638
 Household Income  Unlock$88,871$69,021
 Family Median Income$145,326  Unlock$85,028
 space
 Est. Households By Income
 Santa Cruz, CAAnchorage, AKUnited States
 Income Less Than 15K  Unlock5.4%9.4%
 Income between 15K and 20K3.6%  Unlock3.8%
 Income between 20K and 30K  Unlock5.0%8.1%
 Income between 30K and 40K5.9%  Unlock8.0%
 Income between 40K and 50K  Unlock5.8%7.6%
 Income between 50K and 60K3.8%  Unlock7.2%
 Income between 60K and 75K  Unlock10.8%9.6%
 Income between 75K and 100K9.2%  Unlock12.8%
 Income between 100K and 150K  Unlock20.2%16.3%
 Income between 150K and 200K11.5%  Unlock7.8%
 Income greater than 200K  Unlock12.5%9.5%
 space1
 Population By Occupation
 Santa Cruz, CAAnchorage, AKUnited States
 Management, business, finance17.4%  Unlock16.4%
 Engineering, computers, science  Unlock7.2%6.5%
 Community, social services2.9%  Unlock1.8%
 Legal  Unlock1.3%1.2%
 Education, library10.1%  Unlock6.2%
 Arts, design, media, sports, entertainment  Unlock1.9%2.0%
 Healthcare practitioners and technology6.3%  Unlock6.2%
 Healthcare support  Unlock3.2%3.3%
 Firefighters, law enforcement1.3%  Unlock2.1%
 Food preparation, serving  Unlock5.6%5.4%
 Building maintenance2.2%  Unlock3.6%
 Personal care  Unlock3.2%2.6%
 Sales, office, administrative support18.1%  Unlock20.9%
 Farming, fishing, forestry  Unlock0.3%0.6%
 Construction, extraction, maintenance/repair3.3%  Unlock8.1%
 Production, transportation, material moving  Unlock11.1%13.1%
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

Reviews for Anchorage    83 Reviews

Over 1 years ago

Anchorage had potential but with the massive amount of homeless the petty crime is on the rise. I chose to live in a town outside of Anchorage rather than the city for  More

   |    Reply

I lived in Anchorage for the better part of the 2010's. Pros: o Beautiful, mountain and ocean views; close to many hiking trails, campsites, fishing grounds,  More

   |    Reply

it's nice, i liked it when i grew up there. kinda wish i could move back, but i didn't really like being isolated from all the things like nordstrom, trader joe's,  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Anchorage


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.