2025 Compare Cities Economy:
Taos, NM vs Santa Cruz, CA

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Highlights
- Household income in Santa Cruz, is 159% more than it is in Taos and is 28% above the National Average.
- Taos unemployment rate is 10.5%.
- Santa Cruz unemployment rate is 4.5%.
 Taos, NMSanta Cruz, CAUnited States
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock4.5%6.0%
 Recent Job Growth  Unlock1.8%1.6%
 Future Job Growth30.2%  Unlock33.5%
 Sales Taxes8.5%  Unlock6.2%
 Income Taxes  Unlock8.0%4.6%
 Income per Cap.$32,466  Unlock$37,638
 Household Income  Unlock$96,217$69,021
 Family Median Income$42,984  Unlock$85,028
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 Est. Households By Income
 Taos, NMSanta Cruz, CAUnited States
 Income Less Than 15K  Unlock10.7%9.4%
 Income between 15K and 20K8.2%  Unlock3.8%
 Income between 20K and 30K  Unlock7.9%8.1%
 Income between 30K and 40K8.0%  Unlock8.0%
 Income between 40K and 50K  Unlock4.6%7.6%
 Income between 50K and 60K7.7%  Unlock7.2%
 Income between 60K and 75K  Unlock6.1%9.6%
 Income between 75K and 100K4.1%  Unlock12.8%
 Income between 100K and 150K  Unlock16.1%16.3%
 Income between 150K and 200K2.4%  Unlock7.8%
 Income greater than 200K  Unlock20.7%9.5%
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 Population By Occupation
 Taos, NMSanta Cruz, CAUnited States
 Management, business, finance9.8%  Unlock16.4%
 Engineering, computers, science  Unlock12.2%6.5%
 Community, social services6.8%  Unlock1.8%
 Legal  Unlock0.7%1.2%
 Education, library15.7%  Unlock6.2%
 Arts, design, media, sports, entertainment  Unlock4.3%2.0%
 Healthcare practitioners and technology9.8%  Unlock6.2%
 Healthcare support  Unlock1.9%3.3%
 Firefighters, law enforcement1.2%  Unlock2.1%
 Food preparation, serving  Unlock9.9%5.4%
 Building maintenance4.0%  Unlock3.6%
 Personal care  Unlock3.3%2.6%
 Sales, office, administrative support13.8%  Unlock20.9%
 Farming, fishing, forestry  Unlock0.9%0.6%
 Construction, extraction, maintenance/repair13.8%  Unlock8.1%
 Production, transportation, material moving  Unlock5.2%13.1%
Reviews for Taos    6 Reviews

I’ve traveled to many places in my lifetime. New Mexico is a favorite. Typically we stay in The Inn of The Governor’s in Santa Fe. (It’s an awesome place.) This  More

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Over 16 years ago

Taos is beautiful with much to offer. However, housing is very expensive. Because much of the town's economy focuses on tourism, there are few jobs available in other  More

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Over 16 years ago

Taos has a diverse culture which has helped create a diverse art market with over 100 galleries and studios. From traditional native arts to contemporary, Taos has it  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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