2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Santa Cruz, CA vs Fort Collins, CO

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Highlights
Are people in Fort Collins older or younger than people in Santa Cruz?
- The Median Age in Fort Collins is 1.0 years older than in Santa Cruz.

Are housing costs cheaper in Fort Collins or Santa Cruz?
- Fort Collins housing costs are 57.1% less expensive than Santa Cruz housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Fort Collins or Santa Cruz?
- The average commute for residents of Fort Collins is 3.8 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 Fort Collins?
Fort Collins, Colorado is a vibrant city located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Home to many outdoor attractions such as Horsetooth Reservoir and Lory State Park, visitors can explore nature at its finest when visiting Fort Collins. There are also plenty of cultural attractions including museums and galleries. For entertainment, visitors can explore boutique shops and restaurants along with live music clubs and movie theaters. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an exciting night out, Fort Collins has something for everyone!

 Santa Cruz, CAFort Collins, COUnited States
 Population  Unlock166,788329,725,481
 Median Income$96,217  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock3038.4
 Avg. Home Price$1,270,800  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock5.6%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 Fort Collins    71 Reviews

Over 3 years ago

Moved my family here a few months ago and have been so disappointed. Housing is dismal - you get low quality and almost nothing for what you’re paying. The house we’re  More

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Over 4 years ago

There is a high cost of living in all of Colorado, and there is a train that runs through the town a honks its horn for about 5 min straight which is very annoying  More

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My family established our home in Larimer County in 1973; this area, Fort Collins, was a quaint, western-ish town we loved to visit. So I’ve visited FoCo multiple times  More

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