CostByCity

San Diego, CA vs Santa Cruz, CA

Cost of Living Comparison

Santa Cruz, CA is more affordable by 2.0 index points

Side-by-Side Comparison

CategorySan Diego, CASanta Cruz, CADifference
Overall111.9109.9+2.0
Housing179.3164.3+14.9
Goods108.0105.2+2.8
Utilities174.2152.7+21.5
Other Services99.6100.3-0.7

Income & Housing Comparison

MetricSan Diego, CASanta Cruz, CA
Median Household Income$96,974$104,409
Median Home Value$725,200$951,300
Median Monthly Rent$2,011$2,094
Per Capita Income$46,957$52,887

Frequently Asked Questions

Is San Diego, CA or Santa Cruz, CA cheaper to live in?
Santa Cruz, CA is more affordable. The cost of living difference is 2.0 index points (San Diego, CA: 111.9, Santa Cruz, CA: 109.9).
Where is housing cheaper, San Diego, CA or Santa Cruz, CA?
Housing is more affordable in Santa Cruz, CA. Housing index: San Diego, CA (179.3) vs Santa Cruz, CA (164.3).