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

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Highlights
Are people in Yelm older or younger than people in Santa Cruz?
- The Median Age in Yelm is 2.3 years older than in Santa Cruz.

Are housing costs cheaper in Yelm or Santa Cruz?
- Yelm housing costs are 65.1% less expensive than Santa Cruz housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Yelm or Santa Cruz?
- The average commute for residents of Yelm is 9.5 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 Yelm?
Yelm, WA is a vibrant small town in the heart of rural Pacific Northwest. With easy access to outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, fishing, and more, Yelm offers a great balance between city life and nature. The downtown area consists of quaint shops and restaurants that give it a distinct charm. Residents of Yelm enjoy the diverse population which includes many different cultures, backgrounds and perspectives. However, due to the small size of the town there is a strong sense of community and residents look out for one another. The schools in Yelm provide excellent education opportunities for all students. Overall, living in Yelm is an enjoyable experience with lots of great people and plenty of natural beauty surrounding it!

 Santa Cruz, CAYelm, WAUnited States
 Population  Unlock10,205329,725,481
 Median Income$96,217  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock31.338.4
 Avg. Home Price$1,270,800  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock5.9%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 Yelm    2 Reviews

Over 16 years ago

Yelm is a very nice city to live in. Small enough to have that small town flavor but big enough not to be cramped. Has access to pretty much everywhere you want to go.  More

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I've lived in Yelm 2 years now and LOVE IT! We moved here to get away of the crazyness and extreamly crampedness of the "suburbia"of Puyallup which is just outside of  More

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