2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Scotts Valley, CA vs Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Carmel-by-the-Sea or is it cheaper to live in Scotts Valley?
- Carmel-by-the-Sea is 18.3% less expensive than Scotts Valley.

Which city has more affordable housing, Carmel-by-the-Sea or Scotts Valley?
- Carmel-by-the-Sea housing costs are 62.2% more expensive than Scotts Valley housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Scotts Valley or is Health Care more affordable in Carmel-by-the-Sea.
- Health related expenses are 31.6% more in Carmel-by-the-Sea.
 Scotts Valley, CACarmel-by-the-Sea, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock151.9100
 Food & Groceries112.1  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock143.7100
 Housing401.9  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,916,200$338,100
 Utilities103  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock103.7100
 Miscellaneous156.1  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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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 Carmel-By-The-Sea    3 Reviews

Over 9 years ago

Climate, cost &  More

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carmel has about 60 vacation homes and a dense cottage-y downtown. basically it is a tourist trap cental business district and a bunch of vacation rental homes. the  More

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Over 17 years ago

Liberals have run me out of town. The political is so overwhelming I am looking to relocate. However, if you are an aging hippie with a great deal of money you will be  More

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