2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Santa Cruz, CA vs Palm Springs, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Palm Springs older or younger than people in Santa Cruz?
- The Median Age in Palm Springs is 27.6 years older than in Santa Cruz.

Are housing costs cheaper in Palm Springs or Santa Cruz?
- Palm Springs housing costs are 51.3% less expensive than Santa Cruz housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Palm Springs or Santa Cruz?
- The average commute for residents of Palm Springs is 2.7 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 Palm Springs?
Palm Springs, CA is a desert oasis surrounded by majestic mountain peaks in the Coachella Valley of Southern California. It is known for its chic resorts and bustling downtown filled with art galleries and lively nightlife. With a population of over 48,000, Palm Springs offers year-round sunshine and plenty of leisure activities such as golf, tennis, hiking and more.

 Santa Cruz, CAPalm Springs, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock44,799329,725,481
 Median Income$96,217  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock56.638.4
 Avg. Home Price$1,270,800  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock6.5%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 Palm Springs    12 Reviews

I lived in Palm Springs for 12 years and initially it appeared to be quite beautiful. The mountains are beautiful and palm trees, very stress-free and manageable.  More

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Over 5 years ago

14 years is plenty long enough. This is a nice place to visit, not live. In the last 20 years the air quality, especially in the summer has deteriorated considerably.  More

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Ghetto Crime City with lots of glitz... Police do nothing. Called 911 three times in a year: twice, no response. Provided the license plate of the criminals in two  More

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