2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Santa Cruz, CA vs Wilmington, NC

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Highlights
Are people in Wilmington older or younger than people in Santa Cruz?
- The Median Age in Wilmington is 8.4 years older than in Santa Cruz.

Are housing costs cheaper in Wilmington or Santa Cruz?
- Wilmington housing costs are 70.7% less expensive than Santa Cruz housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Wilmington or Santa Cruz?
- The average commute for residents of Wilmington is 4.7 minutes shorter 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 Wilmington?
Wilmington, North Carolina is a coastal city located just off the Atlantic Ocean. Known for its historic downtown and award-winning beachfront, Wilmington is an ideal destination for both tourists and locals alike. Boasting plenty of cultural activities such as the Cameron Art Museum and Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts, it's easy to find entertainment in this vibrant city. With a variety of restaurants, boutiques and galleries, there's no shortage of things to do in Wilmington. With gorgeous beaches and beautiful scenery surrounding the city, you can easily see why visitors love spending time in Wilmington!

 Santa Cruz, CAWilmington, NCUnited States
 Population  Unlock115,976329,725,481
 Median Income$96,217  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock37.438.4
 Avg. Home Price$1,270,800  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock4.3%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 Wilmington    71 Reviews

I was born here and I will update more at a later time. First and most important, teh average cost of a 1br apt in Wilmington is approximately $1,800. Rentals have  More

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I think that a lot has changed since covid for this city and will continue to keep changing with our insane economy. But I was born and raised in Wilmington and have  More

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Scotty · 

Wilmington NC was once a wonderful city filled with Southern charm, history, safety and natural beauty. Recently that has been replaced by erasing everything Southern or  More

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