2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Santa Cruz, CA vs Brookings, OR

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Highlights
Are people in Brookings older or younger than people in Santa Cruz?
- The Median Age in Brookings is 25.5 years older than in Santa Cruz.

Are housing costs cheaper in Brookings or Santa Cruz?
- Brookings housing costs are 64.9% less expensive than Santa Cruz housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Brookings or Santa Cruz?
- The average commute for residents of Brookings is 9.0 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Santa Cruz.

Things to do in Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz, California is an incredible city located in the heart of the Monterey Bay area. This beautiful city offers plenty for visitors to explore such as the stunning natural beaches or the charming downtown area. Residents here also take advantage of all the outdoor activities available at Santa Cruz Boardwalk and Beach, Wilder Ranch State Park, and Seymour Marine Discovery Center. With its excellent school systems, thriving businesses, and numerous recreational opportunities, it's no wonder why so many people choose to make Santa Cruz their home.

Things to do in Brookings?
Living in Brookings, OR is an incredible experience. The town is situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Siskiyou National Forest, making it a great place to explore nature. With a population of just over 6,000 people, Brookings is a small but mighty community that offers plenty of things to do and see. From stunning beaches to lush forests, you can find something to do outdoors no matter what time of year it is. There are also great restaurants and shops in town, as well as several annual events like the Azalea Festival for visitors to enjoy. No matter what your interests may be, there is sure to be something for everyone in Brookings!

 Santa Cruz, CABrookings, ORUnited States
 Population  Unlock6,706329,725,481
 Median Income$96,217  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock54.538.4
 Avg. Home Price$1,270,800  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock8.5%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time23.45  Unlock26.38
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 Brookings    29 Reviews

Over 3 years ago

Brookings Oregon is one of the most beautiful places in the world and has perfect weather. I searched for a retirement home, on the beach, for nearly ten years before  More

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Over 4 years ago

Brookings is an interesting place, very nice scenery, and excellent weather. The "locals" who inhabit this place are some of the most ignorant biased people you will  More

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Retired and moved here with my husband in 2020. Best decision we ever made. Amazing weather...even the rainy days are punctuated by crisp, sunny days in the winter. Not  More

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