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

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Highlights
Are people in Lafayette older or younger than people in Santa Cruz?
- The Median Age in Lafayette is 15.8 years older than in Santa Cruz.

Are housing costs cheaper in Lafayette or Santa Cruz?
- Lafayette housing costs are 39.1% more expensive than Santa Cruz housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Lafayette or Santa Cruz?
- The average commute for residents of Lafayette is 8.0 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 Lafayette?
Lafayette, California is an affluent suburban community located in the San Francisco Bay Area. The city offers a variety of shopping and recreation opportunities, including historic landmarks, scenic parks and trails, world-class golf courses, and more. With easy access to major highways and transportation options like BART, Lafayette is the perfect place for commuters. Its vibrant downtown area hosts numerous restaurants and entertainment venues that make it a popular destination for locals and visitors alike. Whether you're looking for culture or natural beauty, Lafayette provides plenty of options to explore.

 Santa Cruz, CALafayette, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock25,384329,725,481
 Median Income$96,217  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock44.838.4
 Avg. Home Price$1,270,800  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock4.3%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 Lafayette    4 Reviews

Over 14 years ago

Living in Lafayette is wonderful, if you can afford it! The rolling hills, the great schools and the climate make this a great place to  More

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Great place to raise kids, nice restaurants and some good stores. A bit sparse on things like theaters etc. Weather in Summer is HOT HOT HOT. Bring sunblock and  More

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Over 18 years ago

Summers are too cool due to marine  More

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