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2024 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Santa Cruz, CA vs Riverside, CA

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

Which city has more affordable housing, Riverside or Santa Cruz?
- Riverside housing costs are 57.8% less expensive than Santa Cruz housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Santa Cruz or is Health Care more affordable in Riverside.
- Health related expenses are 20.1% less in Riverside.
 Santa Cruz, CARiverside, CAUnited States
 Overall186.0131.2100
 Food & Groceries111.5100.4100
 Health109.287.3100
 Housing420.7177.5100
 Median Home Cost$1,270,800$590,700$338,100
 Utilities9,350.0%10,600.0%10,000.0%
 Transportation110.5146.1100
 Miscellaneous155.7112.3100

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 4 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 Riverside    42 Reviews

I've lived in Riverside for 54 years. It changed a LOT when people from LA started moving here in droves. Still, I have never been robbed or assaulted but I am  More

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I'm from Orange County (OC). I have had nothing but trouble since moving to Riverside. 1. The dogs are aggressive guard dogs. If you want to walk or bike you  More

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Over 6 years ago

Whew where to begin with dear old riverside. I enjoyed growing up here until my high school years (back in 2011). In 7 short years the downward deterioration of the  More

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ZIPS IN SANTA CRUZ, CALIFORNIA
95060 95064
ZIPS IN RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA
92503 92507 92504 92505 92506 92508 92501

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