2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Santa Cruz, CA vs Imperial Beach, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Imperial Beach older or younger than people in Santa Cruz?
- The Median Age in Imperial Beach is 4.4 years older than in Santa Cruz.

Are housing costs cheaper in Imperial Beach or Santa Cruz?
- Imperial Beach housing costs are 36.7% less expensive than Santa Cruz housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Imperial Beach or Santa Cruz?
- The average commute for residents of Imperial Beach is 3.5 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 Imperial Beach?
Imperial Beach, CA is a beachfront community located in San Diego County. It’s known for its year-round sunny climate and picturesque waterfront, allowing visitors to enjoy activities like surfing and swimming in the warm Pacific Ocean. The city also offers a variety of restaurants and shops along its boardwalk, making it an ideal destination for both locals and tourists alike.

 Santa Cruz, CAImperial Beach, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock26,375329,725,481
 Median Income$96,217  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock33.438.4
 Avg. Home Price$1,270,800  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock9.9%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 Imperial Beach    5 Reviews

Over 13 years ago

In my opinion, imperial beach is the best place to live. IB is the perfect place to raise a family. It has the perfect amount of the good and the bad.  More

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My wife and I moved here from Chula Vista, CA before we knew she was pregnant, attracted by the opportunity to live right near the ocean; in a small, albeit somewhat  More

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Over 19 years ago

Come live in San Diego's most affordable beach community...Imperial  More

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