2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Santa Cruz, CA vs Ladera Ranch, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Ladera Ranch older or younger than people in Santa Cruz?
- The Median Age in Ladera Ranch is 5.5 years older than in Santa Cruz.

Are housing costs cheaper in Ladera Ranch or Santa Cruz?
- Ladera Ranch housing costs are 7.0% less expensive than Santa Cruz housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Ladera Ranch or Santa Cruz?
- The average commute for residents of Ladera Ranch is 7.1 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 Ladera Ranch?
Ladera Ranch, California is an affluent community located in Orange County. This family-friendly neighborhood offers a variety of amenities for its residents to enjoy, including parks, pools, and a community center. There are also several schools located within the community, making it a great place for families with children. With its convenient location and wide range of activities, Ladera Ranch is an ideal place to call home!

 Santa Cruz, CALadera Ranch, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock25,526329,725,481
 Median Income$96,217  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock34.538.4
 Avg. Home Price$1,270,800  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock6.4%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 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 Ladera Ranch    2 Reviews

I've lived in Ladera for 18 years and, after looking around the country to see if it's worth moving, I've concluded Ladera is the best place to live. Not perfect, but  More

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Over 5 years ago

I lived here for 7 years and it's one of my favorite places. Yes, it has some of the OC snobbiness, but I still rated it 5 stars because you can control who you hang  More

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