2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Scotts Valley, CA vs Arcata, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Arcata older or younger than people in Scotts Valley?
- The Median Age in Arcata is 19.4 years younger than in Scotts Valley.

Are housing costs cheaper in Arcata or Scotts Valley?
- Arcata housing costs are 60.8% less expensive than Scotts Valley housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Arcata or Scotts Valley?
- The average commute for residents of Arcata is 10.7 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Scotts Valley.

Things to do in Scotts Valley?
Scotts Valley, California is a beautiful small town located in Santa Cruz County. Nestled between rolling hills and the Pacific Coast, Scotts Valley offers breathtaking views and plenty of outdoor activities. There are also many local businesses and attractions, making it a great spot for visitors and residents alike. With its mild climate and friendly atmosphere, Scotts Valley is the perfect place to live or visit.

Things to do in Arcata?
Nestled on California’s North Coast just south of Eureka, Arcata offers visitors an array of natural beauty from redwood forests to rugged coastline along with world-class dining experiences like the Alice Copper Restaurant & Brewery. The city hosts a variety of cultural attractions year round from art galleries to live music venues making it a great destination for everyone.

 Scotts Valley, CAArcata, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock19,038329,725,481
 Median Income$114,504  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock26.938.4
 Avg. Home Price$1,132,400  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock6.7%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time27.77  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Scotts Valley    4 Reviews

Over 2 years ago

We lived and worked in Scotts Valley for a number of years. It's a nice enough city, safe and clean unlike some areas of Santa Cruz. It's well managed and the schools  More

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Over 7 years ago

Great weather and small town feel but it is changing rapidly  More

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Over 11 years ago

Scotts Valley is an ideal, small town with many wonderful features. It's just 10 minutes from the beaches in nearby Santa Cruz yet doesn't get the wet fog because it's  More

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Reviews for Arcata    17 Reviews

Pros: Nature hikes Cons: One of highest crime rates in the nation. Opioid epidemic going on (you’ll regularly witness drug deals and ppl doing drugs) No  More

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It takes a special set of preferences to select Arcata. Is this you? - You love clouds and fog. You are happy if you see the sun maybe 10-20 times a year. - Chilly  More

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Over 11 years ago

I've lived in Humboldt for over 30 yrs and know all the areas well. Arcata is the jewel of Humboldt due to having a university and many liberal creative people. There is  More

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