2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Santa Cruz, CA vs Manhattan, KS

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Manhattan or is it cheaper to live in Santa Cruz?
- Manhattan is 55.2% less expensive than Santa Cruz.

Which city has more affordable housing, Manhattan or Santa Cruz?
- Manhattan housing costs are 82.1% less expensive than Santa Cruz housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Santa Cruz or is Health Care more affordable in Manhattan.
- Health related expenses are 4.7% less in Manhattan.
 Santa Cruz, CAManhattan, KSUnited States
 Overall  Unlock83.4100
 Food & Groceries111.5  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock104.1100
 Housing420.7  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$234,900$338,100
 Utilities94  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock67.0100
 Miscellaneous155.7  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Santa Cruz

Reviews for Manhattan    33 Reviews

Over 9 years ago

I lived in your city briefly this past year of 2015. Liked it. The cost was a bit too high, but generally you have a decent town compared to some places I've visited. I  More

   |    Reply

Over 11 years ago

Manhattan is one of the best educational environments I have ever seen. The local school district is filled with passionate employees and the facilities are modern and  More

   |    Reply

Manhattan is a wonderful place to live if you are thinking about retiring here, want a family away from the big city, or if you are a college student. Because it is a  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Manhattan


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.