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

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in San Francisco or is it cheaper to live in Santa Cruz?
- San Francisco is 32.0% more expensive than Santa Cruz.

Which city has more affordable housing, San Francisco or Santa Cruz?
- San Francisco housing costs are 19.9% more expensive than Santa Cruz housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Santa Cruz or is Health Care more affordable in San Francisco.
- Health related expenses are 5.2% more in San Francisco.
 Santa Cruz, CASan Francisco, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock245.5100
 Food & Groceries111.5  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock114.9100
 Housing420.7  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,237,600$338,100
 Utilities94  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock158.2100
 Miscellaneous155.7  Unlock100
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 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 San Francisco    149 Reviews

from a single guy's perspective. let's start this review from 2017. I moved here to be near to my sister who also relocated, and also to attend Cal State East Bay in  More

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I've lived in San Francisco for ten years. I thought I would write a balanced review for people looking to move here. My family is from places like Boise, Atlanta,  More

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I've lived in San Francisco for ten years. I thought I would write a balanced review for people looking to move here. My family is from places like Boise, Atlanta,  More

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