Home / Select Cities  /  2024 Comparing Seattle, WA vs. Santa Cruz, CA

2024 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Seattle, WA vs Santa Cruz, CA

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Santa Cruz or is it cheaper to live in Seattle?
- Santa Cruz is 17.6% more expensive than Seattle.

Which city has more affordable housing, Santa Cruz or Seattle?
- Santa Cruz housing costs are 44.1% more expensive than Seattle housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Seattle or is Health Care more affordable in Santa Cruz.
- Health related expenses are 23.8% more in Santa Cruz.
 Seattle, WASanta Cruz, CAUnited States
 Overall158.1186.0100
 Food & Groceries108.7111.5100
 Health88.2109.2100
 Housing291.9420.7100
 Median Home Cost$823,900$1,270,800$338,100
 Utilities6,880.0%9,350.0%10,000.0%
 Transportation137.5110.5100
 Miscellaneous150.7155.7100

100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

View More Data >

Reviews for Seattle    321 Reviews

I have lived here since 1975, I moved here from California but was born and raised in Michigan. I would have to say that I never regretted leaving Michigan and their  More

   |    Reply

Over 2 years ago

I’ve lived in Seattle for just under 7 years and while it can be a stunningly beautiful place, I am very excited to leave. I’ll start with some of the positive aspects.  More

   |    Reply

if you can afford it, Seattle is a very nice place to live and raise a family! however, it is extremely expensive and in the winter, it's rather gloomy. i love gloomy  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Seattle

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

   |    Reply

Over 4 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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Santa Cruz

 Most Recent Searches On Compare Cities
COMPARE COST OF LIVING
Compare Seattle, Washington Cost of Living vs Santa Cruz, California Cost of Living: Taxes, Childcare, Groceries, Health...
Compare Now


ZIPS IN SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
98115, 98103, 98133, 98105, 98118, 98125, 98122, 98117, 98144, 98109, 28 total
ZIPS IN SANTA CRUZ, CALIFORNIA
95060 95064

PREMIUM SUBSCRIPTION

Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.

Try Now