2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Santa Cruz, CA vs Charlotte, NC

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Charlotte or is it cheaper to live in Santa Cruz?
- Charlotte is 44.9% less expensive than Santa Cruz.

Which city has more affordable housing, Charlotte or Santa Cruz?
- Charlotte housing costs are 75.4% less expensive than Santa Cruz housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Santa Cruz or is Health Care more affordable in Charlotte.
- Health related expenses are 13.0% less in Charlotte.
 Santa Cruz, CACharlotte, NCUnited States
 Overall  Unlock102.5100
 Food & Groceries111.5  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock95.0100
 Housing420.7  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$381,800$338,100
 Utilities94  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock97.7100
 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 Charlotte    305 Reviews

My favorite city to live year round with 4 seasons. We love Charlotte  More

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Over 3 years ago

This city has a lot of potential, but it could use some work. For example, it seems to lack things that other cities have. And there is a lack of atmosphere and charm.  More

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Over 4 years ago

Very new transplant (~6 weeks) so first impressions and reasons why I moved here: -great year-round weather, if you don't mind humidity-- less hot in summer than TX/AZ  More

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