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2024 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Santa Cruz, CA vs Santa Clara, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Santa Clara or is it cheaper to live in Santa Cruz?
- Santa Clara is 24.2% more expensive than Santa Cruz.

Which city has more affordable housing, Santa Clara or Santa Cruz?
- Santa Clara housing costs are 19.7% more expensive than Santa Cruz housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Santa Cruz or is Health Care more affordable in Santa Clara.
- Health related expenses are 1.4% less in Santa Clara.
 Santa Cruz, CASanta Clara, CAUnited States
 Overall186.0231.0100
 Food & Groceries111.5115.9100
 Health109.2107.7100
 Housing420.7503.5100
 Median Home Cost$1,270,800$1,438,500$338,100
 Utilities9,350.0%8,600.0%10,000.0%
 Transportation110.5140.5100
 Miscellaneous155.7155.7100

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 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

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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 Santa Clara    14 Reviews

Larry · 

Santa Clara, CA and the city government are great. The city has been for the most part very good to me. I grew up in Santa Clara and now that I have been away for two  More

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I have lived in Santa Clara California most of my life so I consider myself to be an expert. The climate is wonderful. The price of housing is way above the national  More

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Over 9 years ago

Good Central Park and activities; City-owned power company provides lower cost power; home to many high-tech companies; city is  More

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ZIPS IN SANTA CRUZ, CALIFORNIA
95060 95064
ZIPS IN SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA
95051 95050 95054 95053

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