Santa Cruz, CA Cost of Living


44 Reviews



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Santa Cruz cost of living score
186
More expensive
86.0% higher
than the US average
24.1% higher
than the California average
Santa Cruz, California gets a BestPlaces Cost of Living score of 186, which means the total cost of housing, food, childcare, transportation, healthcare, taxes, and other necessities is 86.0% higher than the U.S. average and 24.1% lower than the average for California.

Santa Cruz, CA

Housing costs in Santa Cruz?
A typical home costs $1,270,800, which is 275.9% more expensive than the national average of $338,100 and 73.3% more expensive than the average California home, at $733,500. Renting a two-bedroom unit in Santa Cruz costs $3,680 per month, which is 157.3% more than the national average of $1,430 and 41.6% more than the state average of $2,150.

Can I afford Santa Cruz?
To live comfortably in Santa Cruz, California, a minimum annual income of $243,360 for a family, and $112,000 for a single person is recommended.

What does A.I. say about Santa Cruz?
The cost of living in Santa Cruz, CA is well above the US average. According to data, the median house value in Santa Cruz is more than three times that of the US average. Additionally, the Cost of Living Index (COLI) in Santa Cruz is a staggering 203.5 compared to the national average of 100. This indicates that living expenses such as housing, food, transportation, and other costs are significantly higher in this area than most other places in America. Therefore, those considering relocating or purchasing a home in Santa Cruz should be aware of this fact and take it into account when making financial decisions.
   Cost of living score
     CategoriesSanta CruzCaliforniaUnited States
  186.0149.9100.0
  111.5105.1100
  109.298.3100.0
  420.7234.8100.0
  $1,270,800$733,500$338,100
  93.5%102.4%100.0%
  110.5133.1100.0
  155.7118.7100.0

   100=National Average

   Average Rent by Bedroom Size
Reviews for Santa Cruz
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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 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

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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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