2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Santa Cruz, CA vs Palm Desert, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Palm Desert or is it cheaper to live in Santa Cruz?
- Palm Desert is 29.5% less expensive than Santa Cruz.

Which city has more affordable housing, Palm Desert or Santa Cruz?
- Palm Desert housing costs are 62.8% less expensive than Santa Cruz housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Santa Cruz or is Health Care more affordable in Palm Desert.
- Health related expenses are 20.1% less in Palm Desert.
 Santa Cruz, CAPalm Desert, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock131.2100
 Food & Groceries111.5  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock87.3100
 Housing420.7  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$539,000$338,100
 Utilities94  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock125.8100
 Miscellaneous155.7  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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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 Palm Desert    14 Reviews

Over 4 years ago

Palm Desert, CA is full of rude people. One woman in a long sleeved pink shirt is being extremely rude and mocking people for no reason at a neighborhood Walmart in Palm  More

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Palm Desert is clean, upscale and beautiful. The views of the Santa Rosa Mountains bright blue sky and green expanses of golf course fairways, swimming pools and  More

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I made the mistake of moving here after a short vacation to be closer to family. Biggest mistake of my life! This is not the place to live if health is important to you.  More

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