Santa Cruz
- Town in California
Santa Cruz
- grade A minusOverall Grade
- Town in California
- Rating 3.63 out of 5 160 reviews
Report Card
- Public Schoolsgrade A
- Crime & Safetygrade C
- Housinggrade C minus
- Nightlifegrade A+
- Good for Familiesgrade B+
- Diversitygrade A
- Jobsgrade B minus
- Weathergrade A+
- Cost of Livinggrade D+
- Health & Fitnessgrade A
- Outdoor Activitiesgrade A
- Commutegrade A
editorial
About
Real Estate
Median Home Value
$933,000
National
$244,900Median Rent
$2,072
National
$1,163Area Feel
Urban Suburban Mix
Sponsored Mortgage Options for Santa Cruz
Get Rates
- Find a loan that's right for you. Compare today's top mortgage and refinancing providers.
- Get approval in minutes. Checking rates won't affect your credit score.
Niche may be compensated by the third party lenders and others who place ads on the website. Niche is not a lender and does not endorse the products of these advertisers. Fees that Niche receives for ads do not affect the terms you may be offered by the lender you choose. There are many additional borrowing options available.
Map
Map
Map is loading
Home Listings
Santa Cruz Rankings
Niche ranks thousands of places to live based on key statistics from the U.S. Census and expert insights.
Crime & Safety
Crime & Safety
grade C
Based on violent and property crime rates.
Violent Crimes
- Calculated annually per 100,000 residents
- Assault304.3national 282.7
- Murder3.1national 6.1
- Rape50.7national 40.7
- Robbery116.8national 135.5
Property Crimes
- Calculated annually per 100,000 residents
- Burglary410.3national 500.1
- Theft2,664.7national 2,042.8
- Motor Vehicle Theft362.7national 284
Residents
Working in Santa Cruz
Jobs
grade B minus
Based on employment rates, job and business growth, and cost of living.
Median Household Income
$96,217
National
$69,021Top Public Schools Serving Santa Cruz
Top Private Schools Near Santa Cruz
Similar Places
Places like Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz Reviews
Rating 3.63 out of 5 160 reviews
Selecting a category below will take you to another page
All Categories
I currently live in Santa Cruz as I attend the UC Santa Cruz. The town is a small yet lively college town that has plenty of activities to attract students, locals, and visitors to the area. The town has implemented a reliable and safe public transportation system to help students and the local community navigate the area. The downtown scene always has upbeat live music, plenty of inclusive restaurants, and one-of-a-kind stores to shop in while you explore the beauty of the area. The city also has several local museums that promote the rich history of the city and offer internship opportunities to students in the area. There is an issue with the housing market, as the prices for rentals and homes are at a record high, but with all other aspects of the city factored in, it is worth it. The city is a vibrant area that promotes inclusivity of all races, genders, sexualities, and walks of life, which creates a tight-knit community of leaders and innovators. I am proud to live here!
If you don't mind the stench of filthy bums and the chance of stepping on a carelessly discarded needle, come visit. If you don't mind horrible traffic, come visit. If you want an insanely high rent or mortgage (without an offsetting high pay rate), move here. I have lived here since 1980. It used to be beautiful. Now it is now garbage. Products are more expensive here (because businesses have such high overhead) - all products: shampoo, food, cars, gas... I do NOT recommend; and plan on retiring elsewhere!
It's a pleasant town and on a vacation visit might seem idyllic. Having lived here for 49 of my 49 years, I am on the cusp of moving away because I simply can't afford to live in my own hometown anymore.
If money is not an object, come live here. Know that every property you own with that abundance is a local who is squeezed out. Prepare for property taxes exceeding 3-4k a month.
If you somehow don't mind the soaring homelessness due in part to the terrific weather, come live here. Know that your public parks that you pay for are the tent city homes of people who will leave hypodermic needles behind for your kids to find.
If you are comfortable with a politically liberal town which makes its civic decisions based on the inexperienced hearts of the vast number of UCSC students, come live here. The town is humane and accepting, but at the cost of some common sense law keeping that keeps people safe and happy.
Maybe gentrification will be the change that Santa Cruz needs.
If money is not an object, come live here. Know that every property you own with that abundance is a local who is squeezed out. Prepare for property taxes exceeding 3-4k a month.
If you somehow don't mind the soaring homelessness due in part to the terrific weather, come live here. Know that your public parks that you pay for are the tent city homes of people who will leave hypodermic needles behind for your kids to find.
If you are comfortable with a politically liberal town which makes its civic decisions based on the inexperienced hearts of the vast number of UCSC students, come live here. The town is humane and accepting, but at the cost of some common sense law keeping that keeps people safe and happy.
Maybe gentrification will be the change that Santa Cruz needs.