Overview
Cost of Living
Crime
Climate
Interactive Map
Jobs
Education
Economy
Health
Religion
People
Politics & Voting
Housing Stats
Commute Time
Rankings
Upgrade to Premium

2025 Compare Cities Education:
Santa Cruz, CA vs San Marcos, CA

Change Cities
Highlights
- San Marcos spends 0.0% less per student than Santa Cruz.
- The Student Teacher Ratio is 3.7% higher in San Marcos than in Santa Cruz. (lower means fewer students in each classroom).
- San Marcos had 8.3% fewer residents who had graduated High School compared to Santa Cruz
 Santa Cruz, CASan Marcos, CAUnited States
 Expend. per Student  Unlock$16,358$15,905
 Educ. Expend. per Student$13,552  Unlock$13,142
 Instr. Expend. per Student  Unlock$8,084$7,999
 Pupil/Teacher Ratio21.84  Unlock16.23
 Students per Librarian  Unlock187444573
 Students per Counselor473  Unlock530
 Grade School Educ.  Unlock6.8%4.8%
 Some High School Educ.1.9%  Unlock6.3%
 High School Educ.  Unlock87.8%88.9%
 Some College Educ.19.7%  Unlock20.0%
 2 yr College Grad.  Unlock8.4%8.7%
 4 yr College Grad.56.6%  Unlock33.7%
 Masters Grad.  Unlock10.2%9.3%
 Professional Degree4.9%  Unlock2.2%
 Doctorate Degree  Unlock1.7%1.5%
Economy
Reviews for Santa Cruz    44 Reviews
NC · Boise City, ID
Some love it, others not so much
Over 5 years ago

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
Kimberly · Santa Cruz, CA
Small Town, Big City
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
Holly · Live Oak, CA
Santa Cruz is my Heart Home in so many ways
Over 6 years ago

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

See all reviews
Reviews for San Marcos    5 Reviews
Kevin · San Marcos, CA
Best place I have ever lived.
Over 7 years ago

Just an amazing place to live. I have lived in 7 states and almost countless cities. Sam Marcos is one of the best. This is literally the longest place I have lived  More

   |    Reply
Norman · Vail, AZ
retiree location ?
Over 15 years ago

Is this area to expensive for the average income retired  More

   |    Reply
Greg · South Pasadena, CA
San Marcos Weather
Over 18 years ago

Beautiful Mediterranean climate with bright sunshine and ocean breazes. City is just 15 minutes away from the  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of San Marcos

See all reviews
Most Recent Searches On Compare Cities
Moving from:Moving to:
 Edwardsville, IllinoisFlorissant, MissouriCompare
 Edwardsville, IllinoisFlorissant, MissouriCompare
 Edwardsville, IllinoisFlorissant, MissouriCompare
 Layton, UtahLaytonville, CaliforniaCompare
 Culpeper, VirginiaMadison Heights, VirginiaCompare
 Hood River, OregonArlington, WashingtonCompare
 Hilton Head Island, South CarolinaRoseburg, OregonCompare
 Bethany Beach, DelawareAyden, North CarolinaCompare
 College Park, GeorgiaFord Heights, IllinoisCompare
 Stamford, ConnecticutCleveland, OhioCompare

Learn More About Santa Cruz, California
Overview
Cost of Living
Job Market
Crime
Climate
Economy
Religion
Voting
Learn More About San Marcos, California
Overview
Cost of Living
Job Market
Crime
Climate
Economy
Religion
Voting
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.

Privacy Policy  •  Terms of Use  •  Returns & Refunds
© Best Places. All rights reserved.