Home / Select Cities  /  2024 Comparing Santa Cruz, CA vs. San Diego, CA

2024 Compare Cities Economy:
Santa Cruz, CA vs San Diego, CA

Change Cities
Highlights
- Household income in San Diego, is 7% less than it is in Santa Cruz and is 23% above the National Average.
- Santa Cruz unemployment rate is 4.5%.
- San Diego unemployment rate is 6.6%.

Economy
 Santa Cruz, CASan Diego, CAUnited States
 Unemployment Rate4.5%6.6%6.0%
 Recent Job Growth1.8%1.4%1.6%
 Future Job Growth33.8%34.9%33.5%
 Sales Taxes9.3%7.8%6.2%
 Income Taxes8.0%8.0%4.6%
 Income per Cap.$46,720$46,460$37,638
 Household Income$96,217$89,457$69,021
 Family Median Income$145,326$106,037$85,028
 space
 Est. Households By Income
 Santa Cruz, CASan Diego, CAUnited States
 Income Less Than 15K10.7%7.3%9.4%
 Income between 15K and 20K3.6%2.6%3.8%
 Income between 20K and 30K7.9%5.7%8.1%
 Income between 30K and 40K5.9%5.8%8.0%
 Income between 40K and 50K4.6%5.8%7.6%
 Income between 50K and 60K3.8%6.3%7.2%
 Income between 60K and 75K6.1%9.0%9.6%
 Income between 75K and 100K9.2%12.6%12.8%
 Income between 100K and 150K16.1%19.0%16.3%
 Income between 150K and 200K11.5%10.6%7.8%
 Income greater than 200K20.7%15.4%9.5%
 space1
 Population By Occupation
 Santa Cruz, CASan Diego, CAUnited States
 Management, business, finance17.4%19.0%16.4%
 Engineering, computers, science12.2%13.1%6.5%
 Community, social services2.9%1.7%1.8%
 Legal0.7%1.7%1.2%
 Education, library10.1%5.7%6.2%
 Arts, design, media, sports, entertainment4.3%2.8%2.0%
 Healthcare practitioners and technology6.3%6.4%6.2%
 Healthcare support1.9%2.8%3.3%
 Firefighters, law enforcement1.3%1.8%2.1%
 Food preparation, serving9.9%6.3%5.4%
 Building maintenance2.2%3.3%3.6%
 Personal care3.3%3.0%2.6%
 Sales, office, administrative support18.1%18.3%20.9%
 Farming, fishing, forestry0.9%0.1%0.6%
 Construction, extraction, maintenance/repair3.3%5.1%8.1%
 Production, transportation, material moving5.2%8.8%13.1%

View More Data >

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 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

   |    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 San Diego    319 Reviews

I have lived in San Diego for more than half my life (I am 30) and love it. It has something for everyone and more from arts, to sporting events, and all cuisine is  More

   |    Reply

The only real knock again San Diego is the cost of living, but it is paradise compared to most cities of similar size. Those who complain about the traffic here or say  More

   |    Reply

I have lived in San Diego since 1968 and I am now almost 62 years old. I love San Diego, I really do. But it has become so crowded and so expensive over the years. It  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of San Diego

 Most Recent Searches On Compare Cities
COMPARE COST OF LIVING
Compare Santa Cruz, California Cost of Living vs San Diego, California Cost of Living: Taxes, Childcare, Groceries, Health...
Compare Now


ZIPS IN SANTA CRUZ, CALIFORNIA
95060 95064
ZIPS IN SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA
92154, 92126, 92105, 92114, 92115, 92113, 92117, 92129, 92130, 92128, 38 total

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.

Try Now