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

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Highlights
Are people in Napa older or younger than people in Santa Cruz?
- The Median Age in Napa is 10.9 years older than in Santa Cruz.

Are housing costs cheaper in Napa or Santa Cruz?
- Napa housing costs are 32.1% less expensive than Santa Cruz housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Napa or Santa Cruz?
- The average commute for residents of Napa is 1.7 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 Napa?
Napa California offers stunning views of Mount St Helena combined with modern venues such as Napa Valley Opera House or Oxbow Public Market giving shoppers plenty of opportunities any time of the year.

 Santa Cruz, CANapa, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock79,700329,725,481
 Median Income$96,217  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock39.938.4
 Avg. Home Price$1,270,800  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock7.1%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 Napa    19 Reviews

I have lived in Napa for 20 years. In that time, Napa has changed dramatically. Today, Napa is very much a Hispanic community. Many Latinos don't or won't speak English  More

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My longtime Napa home burned to smithereens in 2017. That same night, a crazy stalker set her sights on me. Two nights after the fire, she showed up at my rescue house  More

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Napa is a very easy place to live, especially for those contemplating retirement. The pace of life is peaceful. The weather is superb -- never miserably cold or hot but  More

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