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

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Richmond or is it cheaper to live in Santa Cruz?
- Richmond is 6.0% less expensive than Santa Cruz.

Which city has more affordable housing, Richmond or Santa Cruz?
- Richmond housing costs are 40.6% less expensive than Santa Cruz housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Santa Cruz or is Health Care more affordable in Richmond.
- Health related expenses are 10.9% more in Richmond.
 Santa Cruz, CARichmond, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock174.9100
 Food & Groceries111.5  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock121.1100
 Housing420.7  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$615,900$338,100
 Utilities94  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock133.2100
 Miscellaneous155.7  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Santa Cruz

Reviews for Richmond    9 Reviews

I've lived in Richmond since 2014. I find that for proximity to the rest of the East Bay, Marin county, and San Francisco it's a tremendous location. We moved here from  More

   |    Reply

Over 5 years ago

Grown up around all my life, and lived for the past 3 years. Diverse in the worst kinda way (the way that will get you robbed or assaulted). The epicenter of the  More

   |    Reply

I've lived here for more than half of my life, and never want to leave. The weather is nearly perfect. The population is very racially diverse and people for the most  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Richmond


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.