2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Santa Cruz, CA vs Whitefish, MT

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Whitefish or is it cheaper to live in Santa Cruz?
- Whitefish is 37.8% less expensive than Santa Cruz.

Which city has more affordable housing, Whitefish or Santa Cruz?
- Whitefish housing costs are 50.0% less expensive than Santa Cruz housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Santa Cruz or is Health Care more affordable in Whitefish.
- Health related expenses are 7.6% less in Whitefish.
 Santa Cruz, CAWhitefish, MTUnited States
 Overall  Unlock115.7100
 Food & Groceries111.5  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock100.9100
 Housing420.7  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$838,300$338,100
 Utilities94  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock74.5100
 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 Whitefish    3 Reviews

I love Whitefish! While I love Whitefish, I worry about the future. Whitefish has been a wonderful place to live for years. People are friendly & you know everyone.   More

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Whitefish is a resort town with a resort tax, cleaner and better managed that neighboring Kalispell, but also more expensive to live in. Still, if you're from a more  More

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Over 16 years ago

Whitefish is a small resort town, close to Glacier National Park. Lots of activities in summer and winter. A great place for kids. The schools are great too.   More

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