2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Santa Cruz, CA vs Mission Viejo, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Mission Viejo older or younger than people in Santa Cruz?
- The Median Age in Mission Viejo is 16.7 years older than in Santa Cruz.

Are housing costs cheaper in Mission Viejo or Santa Cruz?
- Mission Viejo housing costs are 25.7% less expensive than Santa Cruz housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Mission Viejo or Santa Cruz?
- The average commute for residents of Mission Viejo is 4.3 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 Mission Viejo?
Mission Viejo, California is a suburban city located in Orange County. It's peaceful atmosphere provides plenty of opportunities to explore attractions such as the Mission Viejo Mall and the OC Zoo at Irvine Park. After exploring, sample delicious food from eateries like Kabab House or Taste of India. With its many sights and exciting experiences, Mission Viejo is the perfect destination for an unforgettable vacation!

 Santa Cruz, CAMission Viejo, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock93,932329,725,481
 Median Income$96,217  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock45.738.4
 Avg. Home Price$1,270,800  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock5.8%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 Mission Viejo    22 Reviews

Beautiful, but for the wealthy. If you make less than 150K, you won't be able to afford to live here. Even for Southern California, MV is off-the-chart expensive. A  More

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Over 12 years ago

Mission Viejo does not charge a business license tax for businesses located in the community and home-based businesses are allowed under current zoning laws as long as  More

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Please give me your advisese i need to know how is the best place to live near los angeles, safe, earthquakes, snakes, best schools, no racism, etc...,i donĀ“t know  More

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