Santa Cruz, CA vs Stevenson Ranch, CA

Santa Cruz, CA and Stevenson Ranch, CA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.5% difference in their overall index. Santa Cruz scores 206 while Stevenson Ranch scores 209 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Santa Cruz is $2,302/month compared to $2,777/month in Stevenson Ranch — a 17% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Santa Cruz has cheaper rent, Stevenson Ranch actually has lower median home values ($1,033,300 vs $1,180,100).

Median household income in Santa Cruz is $111,427 compared to $146,404 in Stevenson Ranch (-23.9%). While Stevenson Ranch is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Santa Cruz spend roughly 24.8% of their income on rent, more than the 22.8% in Stevenson Ranch.

Climate-wise, Stevenson Ranch is notably warmer with an average of 66.6°F compared to 57.2°F in Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz receives more rainfall at 22.4" per year compared to 13.4" in Stevenson Ranch.