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2025 Compare Cities Housing:
Watsonville, CA vs Santa Cruz, CA

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Highlights
- The median age of a home in Watsonville is 13.0% younger than the median age of a home in Santa Cruz.
 Watsonville, CASanta Cruz, CAUnited States
 Median Home Age46  Unlock42
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,270,800$338,100
 Home Appr. Last 12 months11.9%  Unlock16.6%
 Home Appr. Last 5 yrs.  Unlock34.8%57.0%
 Home Appr. Last 10 yrs.105.8%  Unlock101.1%
 Property Tax Rate  Unlock$6.2$11.0
 Homes Owned42.1%  Unlock57.4%
 Housing Vacant  Unlock8.2%11.2%
 Homes Rented53.6%  Unlock31.4%
 space
 Avg Rent For Home Or Apartment
 Watsonville, CASanta Cruz, CAUnited States
 Average Rent  Unlock$4,500$1,840
 Studio Apartment$1,980  Unlock$1,080
 1 Bedroom Home or Apartment  Unlock$2,800$1,180
 2 Bedroom Home or Apartment$2,950  Unlock$1,430
 3 Bedroom Home or Apartment  Unlock$4,560$1,860
 4 Bedroom Home or Apartment$4,090  Unlock$2,160
 space1
 Vacant Housing
 Watsonville, CASanta Cruz, CAUnited States
 Vacant For Rent  Unlock0.9%1.9%
 Vacant Rented0.0%  Unlock0.4%
 Vacant For Sale  Unlock0.6%0.7%
 Vacant Sold0.2%  Unlock0.4%
 Vacant Vacation  Unlock2.6%3.6%
 Vacant Other2.2%  Unlock4.1%
 space2
 Owner-Occupied Housing Value
 Watsonville, CASanta Cruz, CAUnited States
 Less Than $20,000  Unlock1.4%2.6%
 $20,000 to $39,9991.0%  Unlock2.4%
 $40,000 to $59,999  Unlock0.0%2.8%
 $60,000 to $79,9990.4%  Unlock3.9%
 $80,000 to $99,999  Unlock0.2%4.5%
 $100,000 to $149,9992.7%  Unlock11.3%
 $150,000 to $199,999  Unlock0.7%13.0%
 $200,000 to $299,9994.1%  Unlock20.1%
 $300,000 to $399,999  Unlock2.5%13.6%
 $400,000 to $499,99917.6%  Unlock8.3%
 $500,000 to $749,999  Unlock12.4%9.7%
 $750,000 to $999,9997.9%  Unlock3.9%
 $1,000,000 to $1,499,999  Unlock28.0%2.2%
 $1,500,000 to $1,999,9990.1%  Unlock0.8%
 $2,000,000 and over  Unlock4.5%1.1%
 space3
 Housing Units By Year Built
 Watsonville, CASanta Cruz, CAUnited States
 2015 and Newer0.0%  Unlock0.2%
 2010 to 2014  Unlock8.0%13.6%
 2000 to 200912.8%  Unlock13.6%
 1990 to 1999  Unlock9.9%13.6%
 1980 to 198918.6%  Unlock13.2%
 1970 to 1979  Unlock18.3%14.8%
 1960 to 19697.5%  Unlock13.6%
 1950 to 1959  Unlock12.5%10.0%
 1940 to 19495.0%  Unlock4.7%
 1939 or Earlier  Unlock18.2%12.2%
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Reviews for Watsonville    3 Reviews
Br · Watsonville, CA
Bad crime and kids that walk around breaking into
Over 18 years ago

We live in a nice area and love the climate but cost of living have gotten way out of hand. Vandals walk around smashing windows over and over without getting  More

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brian · Watsonville, CA
just like santa cruz except....
Over 19 years ago

the cost of housing is slightly more affordable (just slightly). Close to the beach and near perfect weather. Especially during summer when it was 107 in San Jose' it  More

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Joaquin · Watsonville, CA
Living in Watsonville
Over 19 years ago

Nice neighborhood, but since moving here we have not felt a sense of  More

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Reviews for Santa Cruz    44 Reviews
NC · Boise City, ID
Some love it, others not so much
Over 5 years ago

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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Kimberly · Santa Cruz, CA
Small Town, Big City
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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Holly · Live Oak, CA
Santa Cruz is my Heart Home in so many ways
Over 6 years ago

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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Learn More About Watsonville, California
Overview
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Learn More About Santa Cruz, California
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