2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Santa Cruz, CA vs Tallahassee, FL

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Tallahassee or is it cheaper to live in Santa Cruz?
- Tallahassee is 51.0% less expensive than Santa Cruz.

Which city has more affordable housing, Tallahassee or Santa Cruz?
- Tallahassee housing costs are 82.1% less expensive than Santa Cruz housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Santa Cruz or is Health Care more affordable in Tallahassee.
- Health related expenses are 4.9% less in Tallahassee.
 Santa Cruz, CATallahassee, FLUnited States
 Overall  Unlock91.2100
 Food & Groceries111.5  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock103.8100
 Housing420.7  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$249,700$338,100
 Utilities94  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock87.9100
 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 Tallahassee    74 Reviews

My husband and I have been here for 5 years - we are not from Florida. Tallahassee is a very livable city. It is FULL of natural beauty and trees - you are surrounded by  More

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Over 5 years ago

Tallahassee is backwards. The housing is abundant yet way overpriced. The utility bills are insane with many extra fees-much higher than average. Lots of drunk students  More

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I lived in Tallahassee from 1999 to 2002 as a college student at FSU. I was not a fan of the town back then, but now I absolutely love it. I have been living here (for  More

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