2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Santa Cruz, CA vs Davis, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Davis or is it cheaper to live in Santa Cruz?
- Davis is 31.1% less expensive than Santa Cruz.

Which city has more affordable housing, Davis or Santa Cruz?
- Davis housing costs are 37.2% less expensive than Santa Cruz housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Santa Cruz or is Health Care more affordable in Davis.
- Health related expenses are 1.3% less in Davis.
 Santa Cruz, CADavis, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock128.1100
 Food & Groceries111.5  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock107.8100
 Housing420.7  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$825,500$338,100
 Utilities94  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock97.4100
 Miscellaneous155.7  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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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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Reviews for Davis    14 Reviews

Over 4 years ago

We owned a home in Davis for 10 years. There are so many good things about the town. The downtown area has many unique shops and restaurants. The Arboretum walking trail  More

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Amazing city of diverse culture, food and transportation.  More

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Over 14 years ago

Here's my take on the total of 16 years living in Davis, CA for those contemplating a move here. Kids are generally polite and law abiding. They tend to score well  More

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