2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Sierra Vista, AZ vs Santa Cruz, CA

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Santa Cruz or is it cheaper to live in Sierra Vista?
- Santa Cruz is 119.3% more expensive than Sierra Vista.

Which city has more affordable housing, Santa Cruz or Sierra Vista?
- Santa Cruz housing costs are 433.2% more expensive than Sierra Vista housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Sierra Vista or is Health Care more affordable in Santa Cruz.
- Health related expenses are 2.8% more in Santa Cruz.
 Sierra Vista, AZSanta Cruz, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock186.0100
 Food & Groceries95.4  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock109.2100
 Housing78.9  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,270,800$338,100
 Utilities102  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock110.5100
 Miscellaneous90.2  Unlock100
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

Reviews for Sierra Vista    30 Reviews

I've lived in Sierra Vista for 22 months. It has positives and negatives. Bisbee, Tombstone, being close to Tucson, are positives. The views are beautiful. There's lots  More

   |    Reply

Over 3 years ago

Nice town, quite, huge military community and snowbirds in winter. If you want to live where you can not be mugged and have beautiful views for miles, this is the  More

   |    Reply

Over 3 years ago

I have lived in Sierra Vista 3 years and for 6 months, in the town north of S.V. sierra Vista lives up to its name with gorgeous mountains encircling you and sunrises  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Sierra Vista

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 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

   |    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


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.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.