2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Santa Cruz, CA vs Palmer, AK

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Highlights
Are people in Palmer older or younger than people in Santa Cruz?
- The Median Age in Palmer is 1.5 years older than in Santa Cruz.

Are housing costs cheaper in Palmer or Santa Cruz?
- Palmer housing costs are 72.4% less expensive than Santa Cruz housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Palmer or Santa Cruz?
- The average commute for residents of Palmer is 6.7 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 Palmer?
Living in Palmer, AK is a unique experience. The small town atmosphere and friendly locals make it a great place to call home. The outdoors offer countless activities, from hiking to fishing and hunting, or simply enjoying the beautiful scenery of the Alaskan wilderness. There are plenty of opportunities for outdoor exploration, including local trails and nearby parks and recreation areas. Shopping in Palmer is also convenient with an array of stores to choose from. Public transportation makes getting around easy whether you need to get to Anchorage or Wasilla. Overall, Palmer is a wonderful place to live with its small-town charm and proximity to so many outdoor attractions.

 Santa Cruz, CAPalmer, AKUnited States
 Population  Unlock5,978329,725,481
 Median Income$96,217  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock30.538.4
 Avg. Home Price$1,270,800  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock7.7%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 Palmer    3 Reviews

The first time I saw Palmer was in 1974. It's grown up from the old days of farm country complete with 4-H clubs, fields of crops and livestock. Gone are most of the  More

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Over 19 years ago

The four months of cold and dark. Winter lasts about 8 months, but the real cold, dark lasts about 4 months. It is getting harder and harder to deal with as I get  More

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Over 19 years ago

I have lived in Palmer for 11 years. I love everything about it except about four months of the dark, cold winters. The people are  More

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