2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Santa Cruz, CA vs Davis, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Davis older or younger than people in Santa Cruz?
- The Median Age in Davis is 2.6 years younger than in Santa Cruz.

Are housing costs cheaper in Davis or Santa Cruz?
- Davis housing costs are 35.0% less expensive than Santa Cruz housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Davis or Santa Cruz?
- The average commute for residents of Davis is 1.7 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 Davis?
Davis, California is a vibrant community located in Yolo County. It is known for its thriving academic culture and abundance of green space. Home to the University of California-Davis, students enjoy access to top-notch education and a wide array of cultural activities and events. The city also offers plenty of recreational opportunities like biking trails, farmer's markets, and parks such as Central Park and El Macero. With its affordable cost of living, small-town feel, and easy access to the Bay Area, Davis is an ideal place to call home!

 Santa Cruz, CADavis, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock67,208329,725,481
 Median Income$96,217  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock26.438.4
 Avg. Home Price$1,270,800  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock3.9%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 Davis    14 Reviews

Over 4 years ago

We owned a home in Davis for 10 years. There are so many good things about the town. The downtown area has many unique shops and restaurants. The Arboretum walking trail  More

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Amazing city of diverse culture, food and transportation.  More

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Over 14 years ago

Here's my take on the total of 16 years living in Davis, CA for those contemplating a move here. Kids are generally polite and law abiding. They tend to score well  More

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