2026 Compare Cities Overview:
Santa Cruz, CA vs Fountain Hills, AZ

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Highlights
Are people in Fountain Hills older or younger than people in Santa Cruz?
- The Median Age in Fountain Hills is 30.7 years older than in Santa Cruz.

Are housing costs cheaper in Fountain Hills or Santa Cruz?
- Fountain Hills housing costs are 52.9% less expensive than Santa Cruz housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Fountain Hills or Santa Cruz?
- The average commute for residents of Fountain Hills is 2.6 minutes longer 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 Fountain Hills?
Fountain Hills, Arizona is a tranquil desert town located in Maricopa County. Situated just east of Phoenix, Fountain Hills boasts spectacular views of the nearby mountains and desert landscape. This close-knit community is home to a variety of parks, shops, art galleries, and restaurants. The area's excellent climate makes it ideal for leisure activities such as golfing and hiking. With its convenient location near major cities such as Scottsdale and Tempe, Fountain Hills provides an optimal combination of relaxation and urban convenience.

 Santa Cruz, CAFountain Hills, AZUnited States
 Population  Unlock23,639329,725,481
 Median Income$96,217  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock59.738.4
 Avg. Home Price$1,270,800  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock4.4%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 6 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 Fountain Hills    10 Reviews

Over 7 years ago

We live in Boise but are seriously considering a move to Fountain Hills. We have visited FH and it's beautiful...but we are not sure we can do the Summers! In Boise  More

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Over 9 years ago

We have lived in many cities in the US we moved here 10 yrs ago raised 2 boys and I would not give it up for any other place. move here raise a family and retire  More

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Over 13 years ago

Beautiful homes with mountaineous  More

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