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

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Highlights
Are people in Gilroy older or younger than people in Santa Cruz?
- The Median Age in Gilroy is 6.0 years older than in Santa Cruz.

Are housing costs cheaper in Gilroy or Santa Cruz?
- Gilroy housing costs are 20.3% less expensive than Santa Cruz housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Gilroy or Santa Cruz?
- The average commute for residents of Gilroy is 10.7 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 Gilroy?
Gilroy, California is a vibrant and diverse city located in Santa Clara County. With its close proximity to San Francisco, Gilroy has all the charm of a small town with easy access to an urban lifestyle. From family-friendly activities like farmers’ markets, golf courses, and hiking trails to wineries and craft breweries, there’s something for everyone in Gilroy. The city also boasts excellent schools ranging from pre-Kindergarten through college prep courses, giving parents peace of mind when it comes to their children's education. With its stunning landscape and abundance of amenities and activities, Gilroy is an ideal place to call home!

 Santa Cruz, CAGilroy, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock58,802329,725,481
 Median Income$96,217  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock3538.4
 Avg. Home Price$1,270,800  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock6.8%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 Gilroy    4 Reviews

Over 14 years ago

I am in the process and figuring out where to move and I have been doing cost comparison, amoung other things, on different places. When will you be updating the tax  More

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Trust me, I love the ecosystem in Gilroy but the truth is that city as a whole does not care about its youth(nor the silicon vally in general but gilroy takes the  More

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Over 19 years ago

Since moving to Gilory six years ago, I've really fallen in love with the small town atmoshpere. I communte 30 minutes to San Jose along with my kids every day. That  More

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