2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Santa Cruz, CA vs Arroyo Grande, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Arroyo Grande or is it cheaper to live in Santa Cruz?
- Arroyo Grande is 21.5% less expensive than Santa Cruz.

Which city has more affordable housing, Arroyo Grande or Santa Cruz?
- Arroyo Grande housing costs are 35.3% less expensive than Santa Cruz housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Santa Cruz or is Health Care more affordable in Arroyo Grande.
- Health related expenses are 0.3% less in Arroyo Grande.
 Santa Cruz, CAArroyo Grande, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock146.1100
 Food & Groceries111.5  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock108.9100
 Housing420.7  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$905,700$338,100
 Utilities94  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock94.7100
 Miscellaneous155.7  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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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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Reviews for Arroyo Grande    8 Reviews

Over 7 years ago

Arroyo Grande is a nice place to live. However, it is rather expensive for many people. There is a large retirement community living here, and home and rental prices are  More

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Over 8 years ago

I've lived here for nearly thirty years and love it. Great, easy climate year round. I know what I'm talking about--having lived in San Francisco Bay Area, Nevada,  More

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People from here absolutely love it and refuse to admit that it is much too expensive. They hate change. To live in a good school area will cost you dearly. There is  More

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