| Index | Santa Cruz | California | National |
| Cost of living | 205 | 141 | 100 |
| Groceries | 113 | 111 | 100 |
| Health care | 117 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 409 | 197 | 100 |
| Transportation | 115 | 118 | 100 |
| Utilities | 118 | 119 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 120 | 120 | 100 |
| Household Items | 112 | 111 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 130 | 127 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Santa Cruz? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Santa Cruz stands at 205, making it 105% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
If you're in pursuit of an economical living environment, Santa Cruz may not fit the bill, as it ranks among the most expensive places to reside in the United States. Just a minority of regions exhibit a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and, unfortunately, Santa Cruz falls within this bracket.
Housing costs are a very significant part of the Santa Cruz cost of living index and generally encompass a large percentage of take-home income. Unfortunately, in this area, the housing costs for both homes and rentals were 309.2% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.
Household expenses make up 8% of the total cost of living index score and cover the everyday essentials needed to keep your home running smoothly. These items may include cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, toiletries, clothing basics, and kitchen essentials. In Santa Cruz, you can expect to pay 11.9% more than average for these everyday necessities, making it a more expensive place to live.
Groceries are getting more expensive by the day and the cost of groceries makes up 13% of the overall cost of living index. In the past two years, prices have shot up by over 10%! Unfortunately, in Santa Cruz, it's the same story – grocery costs are 12.8% higher than what people pay across the country.
Locals have the inside scoop on their city. So, we polled 26 residents in Santa Cruz to learn how they view the cost of living. We asked how they felt about the cost of living in their area, and if they thought that prices were increasing, decreasing or staying the same. The verdict? 27% find it reasonable with decreasing prices, but 73% think it's quite pricey, with prices that continue to rise.
Wondering if Santa Cruz is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Santa Cruz, for example, the median home price is 393% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 113.9% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Santa Cruz boasting a median household income of $128,713, which is 58.3% higher than the national average.
Healthcare: The costs associated with healthcare and insurance premiums can exhibit notable disparities based on the city or state of residence. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for medical appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs and specialized medical care expenses all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Santa Cruz, healthcare costs are 16.6% higher than the national average.
Housing: High demand for housing in desirable locations can drive up property prices and rental rates. This can be a primary contributor to a higher cost of living. While low demand for housing, especially in undesirable locations, can have the reverse effect and drive prices down, resulting in a lower cost of living. The housing index in Santa Cruz, is 309.2% higher than the national average.
Taxes: Locations with elevated tax rates, encompassing both sales and income taxes, can be a factor in driving up the cost of living. When you're paying more in taxes for everyday household expenses, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In Santa Cruz, the standard sales tax rate starts at 7.25%, and the income tax rates commence at 1%.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Santa Cruz are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $185,028 | $15,419 | $4,317 | $5,551 |
| Renters | $79,895 | $6,658 | $1,864 | $2,397 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| California | 7.25% | 10.5% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| California | 1% | 13.3% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Moss Landing, CA | 33 | 117 | 16.7% |
| Live Oak city, CA | 8,786 | 107 | 6.7% |
| Live Oak, CA | 9,007 | 117 | 16.9% |
| Paradise Park, CA | 478 | 137 | 37.3% |
| Freedom, CA | 4,073 | 148 | 48.1% |
| Santa Cruz, CA | 67,016 | 205 | 104.6% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Bayonne, NJ | 66,963 | 130 | 29.8% |
| Castle Rock, CO | 66,953 | 141 | 41.1% |
| Rowlett, TX | 67,206 | 112 | 11.9% |
| Noblesville, IN | 66,802 | 104 | 4.3% |
| Schenectady, NY | 66,726 | 99 | 0.7% |
| Santa Cruz, CA | 67,016 | 205 | 104.6% |
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