2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Santa Cruz, CA vs Meridian, ID

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Highlights
Are people in Meridian older or younger than people in Santa Cruz?
- The Median Age in Meridian is 7.6 years older than in Santa Cruz.

Are housing costs cheaper in Meridian or Santa Cruz?
- Meridian housing costs are 61.7% less expensive than Santa Cruz housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Meridian or Santa Cruz?
- The average commute for residents of Meridian is 1.2 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 Meridian?
Meridian, Idaho is a vibrant city located in the southwestern part of the state. From its charming downtown area to its array of activities and attractions, Meridian has something for everyone! Nature lovers will appreciate outdoor activities like fishing at Settlers Park Pond or camping at Falcon Crest Campground. Meanwhile, art enthusiasts will want to take advantage of all the galleries and exhibits available throughout town, such as the Meridian Museum of Art and Village Square Gallery. And after enjoying all these activities, visitors can grab some delicious local fare from places like Chubby's Diner & Bar or Casanova Italian Restaurant! With its diverse attractions and activities, Meridian is an unforgettable place to visit!

 Santa Cruz, CAMeridian, IDUnited States
 Population  Unlock115,227329,725,481
 Median Income$96,217  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock36.638.4
 Avg. Home Price$1,270,800  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock3.4%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 Meridian    18 Reviews

Over 6 years ago

New to the area and so far we think it's a great place to live compared to Denver, where we moved from. Quality of life is so much better here! A lot less traffic than  More

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I have been here since 2013 and have watched child after child be diagnosed with Cancer. Many of the children have been diagnosed with "rare" Cancers. It has been  More

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Over 7 years ago

It has changed a lot over the years... Crime rates are still low and people are overall still nice HOWEVER way too many people are moving to my wonderful town! All the  More

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