2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Santa Cruz, CA vs Boulder Creek, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Boulder Creek or is it cheaper to live in Santa Cruz?
- Boulder Creek is 0.0% more expensive than Santa Cruz.

Which city has more affordable housing, Boulder Creek or Santa Cruz?
- Boulder Creek housing costs are 37.5% less expensive than Santa Cruz housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Santa Cruz or is Health Care more affordable in Boulder Creek.
- Health related expenses are 0.0% less in Boulder Creek.
 Santa Cruz, CABoulder Creek, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock186.0100
 Food & Groceries111.5  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock109.2100
 Housing420.7  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$749,200$338,100
 Utilities94  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock133.4100
 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 Boulder Creek    3 Reviews

Over 16 years ago

even with Prop 13 property taxes are high. My taxes have incresed from $1200 a year in 1990 to over $8000 a year now. Coffee is $1.50 a cup. Milk $3.50 a  More

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A wonderful place if you love the forest. Plenty of activities, camping,hiking,fishing and mountain dining. Very close to Santa Cruz beaches, restaurants, entertainment  More

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Over 18 years ago

Boulder Creek, CA is in the Santa Cruz mountains near San Jose, CA. It is a beautiful, woodsy mountain area with wonderful climate. It's hard to believe that the overly  More

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