2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Santa Cruz, CA vs Grass Valley, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Grass Valley older or younger than people in Santa Cruz?
- The Median Age in Grass Valley is 18.0 years older than in Santa Cruz.

Are housing costs cheaper in Grass Valley or Santa Cruz?
- Grass Valley housing costs are 60.9% less expensive than Santa Cruz housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Grass Valley or Santa Cruz?
- The average commute for residents of Grass Valley is 8.6 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 Grass Valley?
Grass Valley is an independent township situated within Nevada County, California boasting plenty of activities like visiting its local museums like the Lake Spaulding Powerhouse suitable for anyone interested in the area's history plus nearby Empire Mine State Historic Park has various events and exhibits conveniently situated close by. There are also lots of shopping outlets and eateries providing unique items or delicious cuisine good for anyone looking to browse around or have a meal out during their visit here!

 Santa Cruz, CAGrass Valley, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock13,550329,725,481
 Median Income$96,217  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock4738.4
 Avg. Home Price$1,270,800  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock6.1%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 Grass Valley    15 Reviews

I've lived many places in California. I've now lived in Grass Valley for 2 years. Grass Valley and it's sister Nevada City are adorable little towns full of history and  More

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Grass valley has become a sad place to live. I was born and raised here and can no longer afford to raise my small family here. Look up the median annual wage and the  More

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I'm 25 years old and I've lived in this town all of my life, and I'm saving every single dollar I make to leave here and never come back. It's a shame, because at one  More

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