Cost of living in Santa Cruz
compared to
Cost of living in Santa Cruz vs. United States overall average
Santa Cruz is 33.9% more expensive than United States overall.
- Restaurants
-
pay 27.8% more in Santa Cruz
- Groceries
-
pay 38.6% more in Santa Cruz
- Transportation
-
pay 10.4% more in Santa Cruz
- Housing
-
pay 59.8% more in Santa Cruz
- Childcare
-
pay 80.1% more in Santa Cruz
- Entertainment and Sports
-
pay 11.5% more in Santa Cruz
- Clothing
-
pay 8.9% more in Santa Cruz
The cost of childcare, housing, groceries, restaurants, entertainment and sports, and transportation in Santa Cruz are more expensive than in United States. Notably, childcare is significantly more expensive in Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz Cost of Living Breakdown
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
| Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant | $25.00 |
$16.00
-
$40.00
|
|
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
|
$15.00 |
$10.00
-
$17.00
|
| Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) | $2.93 |
$2.00
-
$4.89
|
| Bottle of water (11 fl. oz) | $2.67 |
$2.00
-
$3.00
|
Santa Cruz - Cost of restaurants
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
|
Bread
1 loaf
|
$5.27 |
$4.41
-
$10.20
|
| Local cheese (8 oz) | $10.35 |
$6.60
-
$25.35
|
| Milk (1 gallon) | $5.25 |
$3.00
-
$6.00
|
|
Eggs
1 dozen
|
$6.50 |
$3.00
-
$9.99
|
| Boneless chicken breast (1 lb) | $6.75 |
$4.00
-
$19.99
|
| Apples (1 lb) | $3.53 |
$1.00
-
$10.00
|
| Bananas (1 lb) | $1.00 |
$0.80
-
$3.99
|
| Oranges (1 lb) | $2.90 |
$0.91
-
$4.25
|
| Tomatoes (1 lb) | $2.80 |
$2.00
-
$4.25
|
| Potatoes (1 lb) | $2.04 |
$1.00
-
$3.00
|
| Onions (1 lb) | $1.55 |
$1.00
-
$2.99
|
Santa Cruz - Cost of groceries
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline (1 gallon) | $4.79 |
$4.35
-
$6.20
|
| Monthly public transit pass | $65.00 |
$50.00
-
$65.00
|
| New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) | $23,894.01 |
$23,536.00
-
$37,649.85
|
| Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles) | $22.70 |
$17.68
-
$27.20
|
Santa Cruz - Cost of transportation
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
|
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
|
$76.17 |
$45.00
-
$110.00
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area | $2,989.17 |
$2,500.00
-
$3,685.00
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment outside city center | $2,639.80 |
$2,000.00
-
$3,000.00
|
|
Utilities for two
(700 sq ft apartment)
including electric, gas, water, heating
|
$244.30 |
$139.29
-
$305.88
|
Santa Cruz - Cost of housing
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
| Private preschool for 1 child, monthly | $2,738.89 |
$2,400.00
-
$2,808.33
|
| Middle school for 1 child, two semesters | $37,770.00 |
$37,770.00
-
$37,770.00
|
Santa Cruz - Cost of childcare
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic/local beer (1 pint) | $7.00 |
$5.00
-
$9.00
|
| Cappuccino in mid-range area | $5.33 |
$4.00
-
$10.00
|
|
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
|
$11.00 |
$10.00
-
$18.00
|
| Monthly membership at local gym | $60.00 |
??
-
??
|
| Movie ticket to theater/cinema | $14.50 |
$12.00
-
$20.00
|
Santa Cruz - Cost of entertainment and sports
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
|
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
|
$55.00 |
$45.00
-
$90.00
|
|
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
|
$56.00 |
$25.00
-
$75.00
|
|
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
|
$80.00 |
$60.00
-
$150.00
|
| Men's business shoes (leather) | $115.00 |
$40.00
-
$225.00
|
Santa Cruz - Cost of clothing
Tip: Try viewing our aggregate cost of living in California
to see the average cost of cities throughout California, like
Los Gatos,
Antioch,
Ventura,
Crestline,
Walnut,
and more.
For a detailed breakdown of Santa Cruz vs. the national average, see the cost of living in United States compared to Santa Cruz.
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