2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Santa Cruz, CA vs Vancouver, WA

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Highlights
Are people in Vancouver older or younger than people in Santa Cruz?
- The Median Age in Vancouver is 8.3 years older than in Santa Cruz.

Are housing costs cheaper in Vancouver or Santa Cruz?
- Vancouver housing costs are 62.8% less expensive than Santa Cruz housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Vancouver or Santa Cruz?
- The average commute for residents of Vancouver is 1.7 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 Vancouver?
Vancouver, Washington is a beautiful and diverse city with plenty of activities to explore. Nature lovers can check out the stunning views of the Columbia River Gorge or admire the wildlife at nearby Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. Visitors also have plenty of shopping and dining options, as well as historic sites like the Pearson Air Museum or Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. From its amazing art galleries and museums to its lively downtown, Vancouver offers something for everyone - making it an unforgettable destination!

 Santa Cruz, CAVancouver, WAUnited States
 Population  Unlock188,331329,725,481
 Median Income$96,217  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock37.338.4
 Avg. Home Price$1,270,800  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock6.4%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 Vancouver    57 Reviews

Over 4 years ago

This city has traffic similar to Seattle. I think some drivers here are aggressive and are not able to stay calm under stress. Although the rent prices seem reasonable I  More

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Plus no pone wants a new bridge it has been voted down a thousand times but now the city of Vancouver is going to try and sneak one in anyway and the nice small feeling  More

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The city is corrupt, department heads taking bribes, 2 yr community college almost destroyed because the faculty are making it into a 4 yr college. Mormon corruption  More

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