2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Santa Cruz, CA vs Salt Lake City, UT

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Salt Lake City or is it cheaper to live in Santa Cruz?
- Salt Lake City is 34.8% less expensive than Santa Cruz.

Which city has more affordable housing, Salt Lake City or Santa Cruz?
- Salt Lake City housing costs are 57.4% less expensive than Santa Cruz housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Santa Cruz or is Health Care more affordable in Salt Lake City.
- Health related expenses are 7.2% less in Salt Lake City.
 Santa Cruz, CASalt Lake City, UTUnited States
 Overall  Unlock121.3100
 Food & Groceries111.5  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock101.3100
 Housing420.7  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$500,800$338,100
 Utilities94  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock93.4100
 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 Salt Lake City    95 Reviews

Over 1 years ago

I've lived in the Salt Lake City metro area for almost 10 years, and it has its pros and cons. Pros: -Beautiful mountains - even if you don't go, just look towards  More

   |    Reply

Over 4 years ago

Love it more  More

   |    Reply

Over 4 years ago

Salt Lake City feels like home. There are so many things to do and see. There are many families and one thing to look out for is, there are many cranes and high rises  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Salt Lake City


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.