San Jose, CA vs Santa Cruz, CA: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, living costs in Santa Cruz, CA and San Jose, CA are within 1% of each other (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in San Jose works out to about $74,600 in Santa Cruz, before taxes.
- Housing is 22.5% lower in Santa Cruz, goods 0.0% higher and other services 0.0% higher, which roughly cancel out.
- Typical asking rent is $3,469 a month in Santa Cruz and $3,812 in San Jose, $4,116 a year less in Santa Cruz (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $1,136,000 in Santa Cruz and $1,524,000 in San Jose.
- The gap is about where it was in 2019 (2.0%).
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Overall prices are about the same in San Jose and Santa Cruz
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- San Jose, CA
- Santa Cruz, CA
All items San Jose, CA: 110.4 Santa Cruz, CA: 109.9
Goods San Jose, CA: 105.2 Santa Cruz, CA: 105.2
Housing (rents) San Jose, CA: 211.9 Santa Cruz, CA: 164.3
Utilities San Jose, CA: 156.7 Santa Cruz, CA: 152.7
Other services San Jose, CA: 100.3 Santa Cruz, CA: 100.3
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| San Jose, CA | Santa Cruz, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 110.4 | 109.9 |
| Goods | 105.2 | 105.2 |
| Housing (rents) | 211.9 | 164.3 |
| Utilities | 156.7 | 152.7 |
| Other services | 100.3 | 100.3 |
| Category | San Jose | Santa Cruz | Santa Cruz vs San Jose |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 110.4 | 109.9 | −0.5% |
| Goods | 105.2 | 105.2 | 0.0% |
| Housing (rents) | 211.9 | 164.3 | −22.5% |
| Utilities | 156.7 | 152.7 | −2.5% |
| Other services | 100.3 | 100.3 | 0.0% |
| Typical asking rent | $3,812 | $3,469 | −9.0% |
| Typical home value | $1,524,000 | $1,136,000 | −25.4% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in San Jose | $75,000 | $74,600 | −0.5% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between San Jose and Santa Cruz has been fairly stable since 2008
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- San Jose, CA
- Santa Cruz, CA
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| San Jose, CA | Santa Cruz, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 119.3 | 119.8 |
| 2009 | 115.9 | 113.9 |
| 2010 | 114.0 | 113.9 |
| 2011 | 112.7 | 111.7 |
| 2012 | 113.4 | 112.3 |
| 2013 | 114.1 | 111.4 |
| 2014 | 115.6 | 113.8 |
| 2015 | 117.2 | 115.3 |
| 2016 | 117.7 | 115.1 |
| 2017 | 122.9 | 120.9 |
| 2018 | 114.5 | 111.3 |
| 2019 | 112.9 | 110.7 |
| 2020 | 113.5 | 111.7 |
| 2021 | 111.6 | 109.1 |
| 2022 | 115.3 | 114.7 |
| 2023 | 113.1 | 112.8 |
| 2024 | 110.4 | 109.9 |
Goods
- San Jose, CA
- Santa Cruz, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| San Jose, CA | Santa Cruz, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 117.4 | 117.8 |
| 2009 | 109.8 | 110.0 |
| 2010 | 106.8 | 107.0 |
| 2011 | 105.4 | 105.5 |
| 2012 | 107.8 | 108.0 |
| 2013 | 109.6 | 109.9 |
| 2014 | 108.6 | 108.8 |
| 2015 | 111.2 | 111.4 |
| 2016 | 111.1 | 111.2 |
| 2017 | 113.8 | 114.0 |
| 2018 | 105.3 | 105.3 |
| 2019 | 104.8 | 104.8 |
| 2020 | 104.5 | 104.5 |
| 2021 | 106.9 | 106.9 |
| 2022 | 109.0 | 109.0 |
| 2023 | 104.9 | 104.9 |
| 2024 | 105.2 | 105.2 |
Housing (rents)
- San Jose, CA
- Santa Cruz, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| San Jose, CA | Santa Cruz, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 204.3 | 188.6 |
| 2009 | 207.9 | 163.0 |
| 2010 | 199.2 | 170.1 |
| 2011 | 209.4 | 165.5 |
| 2012 | 211.4 | 176.3 |
| 2013 | 217.7 | 155.5 |
| 2014 | 229.9 | 179.5 |
| 2015 | 236.1 | 178.0 |
| 2016 | 239.0 | 174.5 |
| 2017 | 243.3 | 188.5 |
| 2018 | 246.7 | 167.4 |
| 2019 | 239.7 | 173.6 |
| 2020 | 245.5 | 189.9 |
| 2021 | 241.3 | 168.2 |
| 2022 | 233.2 | 185.0 |
| 2023 | 213.0 | 175.0 |
| 2024 | 211.9 | 164.3 |
Utilities
- San Jose, CA
- Santa Cruz, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| San Jose, CA | Santa Cruz, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 114.0 | 114.3 |
| 2009 | 115.1 | 114.8 |
| 2010 | 118.0 | 116.8 |
| 2011 | 113.0 | 112.3 |
| 2012 | 110.2 | 109.3 |
| 2013 | 129.2 | 127.7 |
| 2014 | 133.6 | 132.9 |
| 2015 | 140.9 | 139.6 |
| 2016 | 144.7 | 143.0 |
| 2017 | 151.6 | 150.0 |
| 2018 | 120.5 | 120.0 |
| 2019 | 128.4 | 127.6 |
| 2020 | 130.7 | 131.5 |
| 2021 | 140.8 | 139.4 |
| 2022 | 145.0 | 143.6 |
| 2023 | 137.9 | 138.3 |
| 2024 | 156.7 | 152.7 |
Other services
- San Jose, CA
- Santa Cruz, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| San Jose, CA | Santa Cruz, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 106.9 | 107.0 |
| 2009 | 103.9 | 104.0 |
| 2010 | 104.0 | 104.1 |
| 2011 | 102.6 | 102.7 |
| 2012 | 102.1 | 102.2 |
| 2013 | 101.5 | 101.6 |
| 2014 | 103.1 | 103.2 |
| 2015 | 104.2 | 104.3 |
| 2016 | 104.7 | 104.9 |
| 2017 | 110.8 | 111.0 |
| 2018 | 103.7 | 103.7 |
| 2019 | 101.8 | 101.8 |
| 2020 | 100.4 | 100.4 |
| 2021 | 98.6 | 98.6 |
| 2022 | 103.9 | 103.9 |
| 2023 | 104.2 | 104.2 |
| 2024 | 100.3 | 100.3 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $3,469 in Santa Cruz vs $3,812 in San Jose
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- San Jose, CA
- Santa Cruz, CA
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| San Jose, CA | Santa Cruz, CA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $2,555 | $1,897 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $2,704 | $1,965 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $2,746 | $2,060 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $2,727 | $2,131 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $2,760 | $2,095 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $2,816 | $2,198 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $2,780 | $2,189 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $2,729 | $2,257 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $2,797 | $2,233 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $2,878 | $2,317 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $2,883 | $2,357 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $2,853 | $2,348 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $2,915 | $2,368 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $2,974 | $2,457 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $2,983 | $2,460 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $2,952 | $2,459 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $2,983 | $2,475 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $3,045 | $2,508 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $3,051 | $2,517 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $3,031 | $2,508 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $3,061 | $2,534 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $3,015 | $2,530 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $2,907 | $2,554 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $2,801 | $2,611 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $2,802 | $2,601 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $2,916 | $2,721 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $3,027 | $2,874 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $3,013 | $2,900 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $3,096 | $2,990 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $3,229 | $3,057 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $3,283 | $3,163 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $3,195 | $3,126 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $3,225 | $3,105 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $3,274 | $3,226 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $3,282 | $3,257 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $3,208 | $3,164 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $3,288 | $3,227 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $3,370 | $3,317 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $3,398 | $3,360 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $3,350 | $3,284 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $3,410 | $3,321 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $3,485 | $3,381 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $3,519 | $3,347 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $3,509 | $3,364 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $3,570 | $3,378 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $3,700 | $3,494 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $3,812 | $3,469 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $1,136,000 in Santa Cruz vs $1,524,000 in San Jose
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- San Jose, CA
- Santa Cruz, CA
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| San Jose, CA | Santa Cruz, CA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $780K | $610K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $790K | $626K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $827K | $637K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $865K | $659K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $888K | $682K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $877K | $688K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $846K | $688K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $837K | $704K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $873K | $721K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $906K | $730K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $901K | $739K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $917K | $763K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $1.01M | $783K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $1.12M | $797K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $1.17M | $798K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $1.18M | $801K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $1.13M | $790K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $1.08M | $791K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $1.08M | $793K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $1.09M | $792K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $1.11M | $803K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $1.1M | $805K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $1.11M | $822K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $1.18M | $869K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $1.22M | $918K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $1.27M | $984K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $1.31M | $1.02M | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $1.35M | $1.04M | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $1.47M | $1.12M | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $1.52M | $1.18M | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | – | $1.12M | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $1.4M | $1.09M | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $1.35M | $1.05M | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $1.35M | $1.07M | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $1.42M | $1.1M | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $1.47M | $1.1M | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $1.47M | $1.1M | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $1.51M | $1.11M | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $1.55M | $1.11M | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $1.59M | $1.1M | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $1.58M | $1.09M | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $1.53M | $1.08M | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $1.52M | $1.08M | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $1.56M | $1.1M | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $1.55M | $1.11M | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $1.52M | $1.12M | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $1.52M | $1.14M | $366K |
More about each city
- Cost of living in San Jose, CA
- Cost of living in Santa Cruz, CA
- Reverse: moving from Santa Cruz to San Jose
Related comparisons
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.