2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Santa Cruz, CA vs Nevada City, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Nevada City older or younger than people in Santa Cruz?
- The Median Age in Nevada City is 30.2 years older than in Santa Cruz.

Are housing costs cheaper in Nevada City or Santa Cruz?
- Nevada City housing costs are 59.5% less expensive than Santa Cruz housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Nevada City or Santa Cruz?
- The average commute for residents of Nevada City is 1.1 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 Nevada City?
Living in Nevada City, CA is an incredible experience. The city is surrounded by beautiful mountainous terrain and boasts a vibrant downtown area with boutique shops, restaurants, and galleries. There are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy, from rafting down the South Yuba River to skiing at Boreal Mountain Resort. The town has a charm all its own, with its unique Victorian-style architecture, cobblestone streets, and quaint coffee shops lining the main street. Residents enjoy a laid-back lifestyle and easy access to outdoor activities throughout the year. It's the perfect place to relax, escape from everyday life and explore nature’s beauty.

 Santa Cruz, CANevada City, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock3,097329,725,481
 Median Income$96,217  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock59.238.4
 Avg. Home Price$1,270,800  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock6.1%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 Nevada City    6 Reviews

Over 7 years ago

I lived in Y.C Ca for 14 yrs and Nevada City became my favorite town to visit. The restaurants are great, the night life is mellow but you get a variety of music...shoos  More

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We are seriously considering a move to Nevada City. I have a lot of questions about what it will be like for a liberal-minded family with a teenage son. Will he find  More

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Over 9 years ago

I have been coming here since I was a child. I am from the bay area, the town I grew up in was small and I met my husband there. We raised our children there. The  More

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