2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Santa Cruz, CA vs Buffalo, NY

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Buffalo or is it cheaper to live in Santa Cruz?
- Buffalo is 50.5% less expensive than Santa Cruz.

Which city has more affordable housing, Buffalo or Santa Cruz?
- Buffalo housing costs are 85.1% less expensive than Santa Cruz housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Santa Cruz or is Health Care more affordable in Buffalo.
- Health related expenses are 3.7% less in Buffalo.
 Santa Cruz, CABuffalo, NYUnited States
 Overall  Unlock92.1100
 Food & Groceries111.5  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock105.2100
 Housing420.7  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$204,600$338,100
 Utilities94  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock102.4100
 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 Buffalo    94 Reviews

Over 3 years ago

Clean, fun, safe and unique. Great place to raise a family. Affordable housing, strong job market. Great schools and neighborhoods.  More

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Over 3 years ago

Buffalo was okay in 2016. Since then, crime is up, there are more methadone clinics than pediatricians, and so many of the small businesses that made this place charming  More

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Over 3 years ago

This city is just plain beautiful. Sure, it might not be New York or Albany. But it's Buffalo. Place is a God-send. You want to see the Falls and the Bills? Come here.  More

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