2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Santa Cruz, CA vs Corte Madera, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Corte Madera or is it cheaper to live in Santa Cruz?
- Corte Madera is 23.7% more expensive than Santa Cruz.

Which city has more affordable housing, Corte Madera or Santa Cruz?
- Corte Madera housing costs are 36.8% more expensive than Santa Cruz housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Santa Cruz or is Health Care more affordable in Corte Madera.
- Health related expenses are 0.8% more in Corte Madera.
 Santa Cruz, CACorte Madera, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock230.1100
 Food & Groceries111.5  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock110.1100
 Housing420.7  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,584,600$338,100
 Utilities94  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock129.1100
 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 Corte Madera    3 Reviews

Over 9 years ago

Close to the freeway, so easy commute. Beautiful bike/hiking trails and view of Mt Tam. But $4000/mo for a 3 bdrm apartment is a little  More

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Over 13 years ago

Great  More

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Over 19 years ago

Corte Madera has the convenience of shopping and urban lifestyle combined with nature wonderful weather hiking trails bike paths that make the quality of living there  More

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