2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Santa Cruz, CA vs Sunnyvale, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Sunnyvale older or younger than people in Santa Cruz?
- The Median Age in Sunnyvale is 6.2 years older than in Santa Cruz.

Are housing costs cheaper in Sunnyvale or Santa Cruz?
- Sunnyvale housing costs are 38.6% more expensive than Santa Cruz housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Sunnyvale or Santa Cruz?
- The average commute for residents of Sunnyvale is 0.9 minutes longer than it is for residents of Santa Cruz.

Things to do in Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz, California is an incredible city located in the heart of the Monterey Bay area. This beautiful city offers plenty for visitors to explore such as the stunning natural beaches or the charming downtown area. Residents here also take advantage of all the outdoor activities available at Santa Cruz Boardwalk and Beach, Wilder Ranch State Park, and Seymour Marine Discovery Center. With its excellent school systems, thriving businesses, and numerous recreational opportunities, it's no wonder why so many people choose to make Santa Cruz their home.

Things to do in Sunnyvale?
Sunnyvale, California is a vibrant city located in the heart of Silicon Valley. Home to many outdoor attractions such as Fairytale Town and Baylands Park, visitors can explore nature at its finest when visiting Sunnyvale. There are also plenty of cultural attractions including museums, galleries, and performance venues. For entertainment, visitors can explore boutique shops and restaurants along with movie theaters and live music venues. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an exciting night out, Sunnyvale has something for everyone!

 Santa Cruz, CASunnyvale, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock155,550329,725,481
 Median Income$96,217  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock35.238.4
 Avg. Home Price$1,270,800  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock3.9%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time23.45  Unlock26.38
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 Sunnyvale    14 Reviews

At this point, I would only recommend moving to silicon valley for the job market. Sure, the weather is great and the restaurants offer huge variety. But the costs of  More

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Like previous reviewer, tech company's tyranny over city gov and quality of living has negatively impacted a fantastic place to live. Climate, while super, is grossly  More

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I've lived here for 40 years. While the weather is fabulous, For the past ten years of high density housing mostly needed to house thousands of a young up coming tech  More

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