San Luis Obispo, 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, Santa Cruz, CA is 1.2% more expensive than San Luis Obispo, CA (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in San Luis Obispo works out to about $75,900 in Santa Cruz, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is housing, which costs 13.8% more in Santa Cruz. Goods are 0.0% higher and other services 0.0% higher.
- Typical asking rent is $3,469 a month in Santa Cruz and $2,802 in San Luis Obispo, $8,004 a year more in Santa Cruz (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $1,136,000 in Santa Cruz and $898,000 in San Luis Obispo.
- The gap is about where it was in 2019 (0.5%).
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.
Housing drives the gap: 13.8% higher in Santa Cruz than in San Luis Obispo
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- San Luis Obispo, CA
- Santa Cruz, CA
All items San Luis Obispo, CA: 108.6 Santa Cruz, CA: 109.9
Goods San Luis Obispo, CA: 105.2 Santa Cruz, CA: 105.2
Housing (rents) San Luis Obispo, CA: 144.4 Santa Cruz, CA: 164.3
Utilities San Luis Obispo, CA: 147.8 Santa Cruz, CA: 152.7
Other services San Luis Obispo, 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 Luis Obispo, CA | Santa Cruz, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 108.6 | 109.9 |
| Goods | 105.2 | 105.2 |
| Housing (rents) | 144.4 | 164.3 |
| Utilities | 147.8 | 152.7 |
| Other services | 100.3 | 100.3 |
| Category | San Luis Obispo | Santa Cruz | Santa Cruz vs San Luis Obispo |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 108.6 | 109.9 | +1.2% |
| Goods | 105.2 | 105.2 | 0.0% |
| Housing (rents) | 144.4 | 164.3 | +13.8% |
| Utilities | 147.8 | 152.7 | +3.3% |
| Other services | 100.3 | 100.3 | 0.0% |
| Typical asking rent | $2,802 | $3,469 | +23.8% |
| Typical home value | $898,000 | $1,136,000 | +26.6% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in San Luis Obispo | $75,000 | $75,900 | +1.2% |
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 Luis Obispo and Santa Cruz has narrowed since 2008: 14.7 points then, 1.3 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- San Luis Obispo, 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 Luis Obispo, CA | Santa Cruz, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 105.1 | 119.8 |
| 2009 | 109.2 | 113.9 |
| 2010 | 106.5 | 113.9 |
| 2011 | 109.7 | 111.7 |
| 2012 | 107.2 | 112.3 |
| 2013 | 106.6 | 111.4 |
| 2014 | 106.1 | 113.8 |
| 2015 | 105.3 | 115.3 |
| 2016 | 105.0 | 115.1 |
| 2017 | 108.3 | 120.9 |
| 2018 | 111.3 | 111.3 |
| 2019 | 110.2 | 110.7 |
| 2020 | 111.3 | 111.7 |
| 2021 | 108.6 | 109.1 |
| 2022 | 112.7 | 114.7 |
| 2023 | 111.0 | 112.8 |
| 2024 | 108.6 | 109.9 |
Goods
- San Luis Obispo, 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 Luis Obispo, CA | Santa Cruz, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 95.1 | 117.8 |
| 2009 | 101.4 | 110.0 |
| 2010 | 97.3 | 107.0 |
| 2011 | 99.0 | 105.5 |
| 2012 | 99.8 | 108.0 |
| 2013 | 98.2 | 109.9 |
| 2014 | 96.6 | 108.8 |
| 2015 | 94.9 | 111.4 |
| 2016 | 94.0 | 111.2 |
| 2017 | 99.8 | 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 Luis Obispo, 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 Luis Obispo, CA | Santa Cruz, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 155.4 | 188.6 |
| 2009 | 157.5 | 163.0 |
| 2010 | 150.6 | 170.1 |
| 2011 | 154.0 | 165.5 |
| 2012 | 143.5 | 176.3 |
| 2013 | 147.1 | 155.5 |
| 2014 | 142.8 | 179.5 |
| 2015 | 149.6 | 178.0 |
| 2016 | 153.9 | 174.5 |
| 2017 | 165.2 | 188.5 |
| 2018 | 154.8 | 167.4 |
| 2019 | 151.5 | 173.6 |
| 2020 | 164.4 | 189.9 |
| 2021 | 146.9 | 168.2 |
| 2022 | 157.1 | 185.0 |
| 2023 | 149.5 | 175.0 |
| 2024 | 144.4 | 164.3 |
Utilities
- San Luis Obispo, 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 Luis Obispo, CA | Santa Cruz, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 95.3 | 114.3 |
| 2009 | 94.7 | 114.8 |
| 2010 | 107.8 | 116.8 |
| 2011 | 110.9 | 112.3 |
| 2012 | 114.1 | 109.3 |
| 2013 | 111.5 | 127.7 |
| 2014 | 119.2 | 132.9 |
| 2015 | 119.7 | 139.6 |
| 2016 | 113.1 | 143.0 |
| 2017 | 108.9 | 150.0 |
| 2018 | 118.5 | 120.0 |
| 2019 | 125.9 | 127.6 |
| 2020 | 128.0 | 131.5 |
| 2021 | 137.3 | 139.4 |
| 2022 | 141.6 | 143.6 |
| 2023 | 133.6 | 138.3 |
| 2024 | 147.8 | 152.7 |
Other services
- San Luis Obispo, 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 Luis Obispo, CA | Santa Cruz, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 97.7 | 107.0 |
| 2009 | 100.7 | 104.0 |
| 2010 | 98.8 | 104.1 |
| 2011 | 102.5 | 102.7 |
| 2012 | 102.4 | 102.2 |
| 2013 | 101.1 | 101.6 |
| 2014 | 101.0 | 103.2 |
| 2015 | 99.8 | 104.3 |
| 2016 | 98.9 | 104.9 |
| 2017 | 99.2 | 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 $2,802 in San Luis Obispo
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- San Luis Obispo, 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 Luis Obispo, CA | Santa Cruz, CA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $1,473 | $1,897 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $1,554 | $1,965 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $1,603 | $2,060 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $1,558 | $2,131 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $1,615 | $2,095 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $1,639 | $2,198 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $1,685 | $2,189 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $1,691 | $2,257 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $1,735 | $2,233 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $1,745 | $2,317 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $1,747 | $2,357 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $1,785 | $2,348 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $1,781 | $2,368 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $1,811 | $2,457 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $1,840 | $2,460 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $1,854 | $2,459 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $1,871 | $2,475 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $1,890 | $2,508 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $1,875 | $2,517 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $1,903 | $2,508 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $1,941 | $2,534 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,913 | $2,530 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,966 | $2,554 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $2,024 | $2,611 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $2,045 | $2,601 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $2,069 | $2,721 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $2,146 | $2,874 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $2,207 | $2,900 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $2,271 | $2,990 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $2,335 | $3,057 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $2,393 | $3,163 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $2,338 | $3,126 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $2,416 | $3,105 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $2,490 | $3,226 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $2,492 | $3,257 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $2,534 | $3,164 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $2,583 | $3,227 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $2,588 | $3,317 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $2,609 | $3,360 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $2,659 | $3,284 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $2,702 | $3,321 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $2,723 | $3,381 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $2,724 | $3,347 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $2,721 | $3,364 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $2,787 | $3,378 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $2,768 | $3,494 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $2,802 | $3,469 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $1,136,000 in Santa Cruz vs $898,000 in San Luis Obispo
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- San Luis Obispo, 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 Luis Obispo, CA | Santa Cruz, CA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $478K | $610K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $487K | $626K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $483K | $637K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $473K | $659K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $491K | $682K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $511K | $688K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $522K | $688K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $539K | $704K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $558K | $721K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $561K | $730K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $565K | $739K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $580K | $763K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $593K | $783K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $591K | $797K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $596K | $798K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $602K | $801K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $601K | $790K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $600K | $791K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $602K | $793K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $612K | $792K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $620K | $803K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $619K | $805K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $625K | $822K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $658K | $869K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $681K | $918K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $712K | $984K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $732K | $1.02M | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $753K | $1.04M | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $798K | $1.12M | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $837K | $1.18M | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $827K | $1.12M | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $819K | $1.09M | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $807K | $1.05M | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $822K | $1.07M | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $848K | $1.1M | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $860K | $1.1M | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $858K | $1.1M | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $870K | $1.11M | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $872K | $1.11M | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $876K | $1.1M | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $878K | $1.09M | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $878K | $1.08M | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $880K | $1.08M | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $889K | $1.1M | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $889K | $1.11M | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $890K | $1.12M | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $898K | $1.14M | $366K |
More about each city
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.