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

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Highlights
- The median age of a home in Santa Cruz is 46.2% older than the median age of a home in San Marcos.
 Santa Cruz, CASan Marcos, CAUnited States
 Median Home Age52  Unlock42
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$813,500$338,100
 Home Appr. Last 12 months11.9%  Unlock16.6%
 Home Appr. Last 5 yrs.  Unlock55.7%57.0%
 Home Appr. Last 10 yrs.105.8%  Unlock101.1%
 Property Tax Rate  Unlock$8.9$11.0
 Homes Owned42.1%  Unlock57.4%
 Housing Vacant  Unlock4.3%11.2%
 Homes Rented49.7%  Unlock31.4%
 space
 Avg Rent For Home Or Apartment
 Santa Cruz, CASan Marcos, CAUnited States
 Average Rent  Unlock$3,280$1,840
 Studio Apartment$2,470  Unlock$1,080
 1 Bedroom Home or Apartment  Unlock$1,910$1,180
 2 Bedroom Home or Apartment$3,680  Unlock$1,430
 3 Bedroom Home or Apartment  Unlock$3,320$1,860
 4 Bedroom Home or Apartment$5,110  Unlock$2,160
 space1
 Vacant Housing
 Santa Cruz, CASan Marcos, CAUnited States
 Vacant For Rent  Unlock1.2%1.9%
 Vacant Rented0.3%  Unlock0.4%
 Vacant For Sale  Unlock0.7%0.7%
 Vacant Sold0.2%  Unlock0.4%
 Vacant Vacation  Unlock0.6%3.6%
 Vacant Other3.6%  Unlock4.1%
 space2
 Owner-Occupied Housing Value
 Santa Cruz, CASan Marcos, CAUnited States
 Less Than $20,000  Unlock0.7%2.6%
 $20,000 to $39,9990.2%  Unlock2.4%
 $40,000 to $59,999  Unlock0.6%2.8%
 $60,000 to $79,9990.0%  Unlock3.9%
 $80,000 to $99,999  Unlock1.0%4.5%
 $100,000 to $149,9991.7%  Unlock11.3%
 $150,000 to $199,999  Unlock2.3%13.0%
 $200,000 to $299,9990.9%  Unlock20.1%
 $300,000 to $399,999  Unlock5.5%13.6%
 $400,000 to $499,9992.9%  Unlock8.3%
 $500,000 to $749,999  Unlock38.0%9.7%
 $750,000 to $999,99936.8%  Unlock3.9%
 $1,000,000 to $1,499,999  Unlock6.4%2.2%
 $1,500,000 to $1,999,9997.6%  Unlock0.8%
 $2,000,000 and over  Unlock0.9%1.1%
 space3
 Housing Units By Year Built
 Santa Cruz, CASan Marcos, CAUnited States
 2015 and Newer0.0%  Unlock0.2%
 2010 to 2014  Unlock27.4%13.6%
 2000 to 20098.0%  Unlock13.6%
 1990 to 1999  Unlock17.8%13.6%
 1980 to 19899.6%  Unlock13.2%
 1970 to 1979  Unlock21.9%14.8%
 1960 to 19699.9%  Unlock13.6%
 1950 to 1959  Unlock2.0%10.0%
 1940 to 19499.2%  Unlock4.7%
 1939 or Earlier  Unlock0.4%12.2%
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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

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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

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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

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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

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

Is this area to expensive for the average income retired  More

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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

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Learn More About Santa Cruz, California
Overview
Cost of Living
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Learn More About San Marcos, California
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