2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Santa Rosa, CA vs Santa Cruz, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Santa Cruz older or younger than people in Santa Rosa?
- The Median Age in Santa Cruz is 11.0 years younger than in Santa Rosa.

Are housing costs cheaper in Santa Cruz or Santa Rosa?
- Santa Cruz housing costs are 90.6% more expensive than Santa Rosa housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Santa Cruz or Santa Rosa?
- The average commute for residents of Santa Cruz is 0.9 minutes longer than it is for residents of Santa Rosa.

Things to do in Santa Rosa?
Santa Rosa, California is situated in the heart of Sonoma County and is known for its laid-back atmosphere and charming downtown area. The city has a vibrant arts community with galleries, studios, and theaters, as well as many wineries throughout the region that offer tours. Outdoor activities abound in the area, such as biking trails, golf courses, and hiking paths to explore. The city also houses a number of restaurants that serve up delicious local dishes. With its stunning scenery and array of activities to enjoy, Santa Rosa is an ideal destination for anyone looking to get away from it all!

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.

 Santa Rosa, CASanta Cruz, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock62,714329,725,481
 Median Income$84,823  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock2938.4
 Avg. Home Price$666,900  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock4.5%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time22.59  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Santa Rosa    43 Reviews

I was born and raised here. Santa Rosa used to be a great city great location great weather but now it is overcrowded and crime is off the charts and housing is crazy  More

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I've lived her over 20 years and it's a pretty nice place. The main vibe is you feel safe doing this day or night. Most of the neighborhoods are well taken care of, they  More

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Terrible city that's hurting for money. After going on a long hiatus from enforcing traffic laws, they've recently turned their highways into an ATM machine/cash cow by  More

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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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