Santa Cruz, CA vs Napa, CA: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, Napa, CA is 2.4% more expensive than Santa Cruz, CA (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Santa Cruz works out to about $76,800 in Napa, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is housing, which costs 20.1% more in Napa. Goods are 0.0% higher and other services 0.0% higher.
- Typical asking rent is $2,906 a month in Napa and $3,469 in Santa Cruz, $6,756 a year less in Napa (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $869,000 in Napa and $1,136,000 in Santa Cruz.
- The gap is about where it was in 2019 (1.7%).
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: 20.1% higher in Napa than in Santa Cruz
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Santa Cruz, CA
- Napa, CA
All items Santa Cruz, CA: 109.9 Napa, CA: 112.6
Goods Santa Cruz, CA: 105.2 Napa, CA: 105.2
Housing (rents) Santa Cruz, CA: 164.3 Napa, CA: 197.4
Utilities Santa Cruz, CA: 152.7 Napa, CA: 156.5
Other services Santa Cruz, CA: 100.3 Napa, CA: 100.3
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Santa Cruz, CA | Napa, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 109.9 | 112.6 |
| Goods | 105.2 | 105.2 |
| Housing (rents) | 164.3 | 197.4 |
| Utilities | 152.7 | 156.5 |
| Other services | 100.3 | 100.3 |
| Category | Santa Cruz | Napa | Napa vs Santa Cruz |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 109.9 | 112.6 | +2.4% |
| Goods | 105.2 | 105.2 | 0.0% |
| Housing (rents) | 164.3 | 197.4 | +20.1% |
| Utilities | 152.7 | 156.5 | +2.5% |
| Other services | 100.3 | 100.3 | 0.0% |
| Typical asking rent | $3,469 | $2,906 | −16.2% |
| Typical home value | $1,136,000 | $869,000 | −23.5% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Santa Cruz | $75,000 | $76,800 | +2.4% |
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 Santa Cruz and Napa has narrowed since 2008: 4.6 points then, 2.7 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Santa Cruz, CA
- Napa, CA
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Santa Cruz, CA | Napa, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 119.8 | 115.2 |
| 2009 | 113.9 | 115.1 |
| 2010 | 113.9 | 112.7 |
| 2011 | 111.7 | 111.8 |
| 2012 | 112.3 | 111.6 |
| 2013 | 111.4 | 113.0 |
| 2014 | 113.8 | 114.8 |
| 2015 | 115.3 | 115.2 |
| 2016 | 115.1 | 117.8 |
| 2017 | 120.9 | 121.5 |
| 2018 | 111.3 | 115.8 |
| 2019 | 110.7 | 112.6 |
| 2020 | 111.7 | 112.2 |
| 2021 | 109.1 | 112.5 |
| 2022 | 114.7 | 113.0 |
| 2023 | 112.8 | 111.8 |
| 2024 | 109.9 | 112.6 |
Goods
- Santa Cruz, CA
- Napa, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Santa Cruz, CA | Napa, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 117.8 | 117.8 |
| 2009 | 110.0 | 110.0 |
| 2010 | 107.0 | 107.0 |
| 2011 | 105.5 | 105.5 |
| 2012 | 108.0 | 108.0 |
| 2013 | 109.9 | 109.9 |
| 2014 | 108.8 | 108.8 |
| 2015 | 111.4 | 111.4 |
| 2016 | 111.2 | 111.2 |
| 2017 | 114.0 | 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)
- Santa Cruz, CA
- Napa, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Santa Cruz, CA | Napa, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 188.6 | 138.7 |
| 2009 | 163.0 | 171.0 |
| 2010 | 170.1 | 154.8 |
| 2011 | 165.5 | 164.6 |
| 2012 | 176.3 | 159.8 |
| 2013 | 155.5 | 165.7 |
| 2014 | 179.5 | 180.3 |
| 2015 | 178.0 | 171.9 |
| 2016 | 174.5 | 190.4 |
| 2017 | 188.5 | 179.7 |
| 2018 | 167.4 | 196.6 |
| 2019 | 173.6 | 184.5 |
| 2020 | 189.9 | 187.2 |
| 2021 | 168.2 | 187.6 |
| 2022 | 185.0 | 161.7 |
| 2023 | 175.0 | 161.3 |
| 2024 | 164.3 | 197.4 |
Utilities
- Santa Cruz, CA
- Napa, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Santa Cruz, CA | Napa, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 114.3 | 114.4 |
| 2009 | 114.8 | 113.6 |
| 2010 | 116.8 | 116.8 |
| 2011 | 112.3 | 113.0 |
| 2012 | 109.3 | 110.1 |
| 2013 | 127.7 | 127.9 |
| 2014 | 132.9 | 131.6 |
| 2015 | 139.6 | 139.3 |
| 2016 | 143.0 | 142.7 |
| 2017 | 150.0 | 148.0 |
| 2018 | 120.0 | 122.0 |
| 2019 | 127.6 | 130.3 |
| 2020 | 131.5 | 133.4 |
| 2021 | 139.4 | 144.2 |
| 2022 | 143.6 | 145.6 |
| 2023 | 138.3 | 143.5 |
| 2024 | 152.7 | 156.5 |
Other services
- Santa Cruz, CA
- Napa, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Santa Cruz, CA | Napa, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 107.0 | 107.0 |
| 2009 | 104.0 | 104.0 |
| 2010 | 104.1 | 104.1 |
| 2011 | 102.7 | 102.7 |
| 2012 | 102.2 | 102.2 |
| 2013 | 101.6 | 101.6 |
| 2014 | 103.2 | 103.2 |
| 2015 | 104.3 | 104.3 |
| 2016 | 104.9 | 104.9 |
| 2017 | 111.0 | 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: $2,906 in Napa vs $3,469 in Santa Cruz
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Santa Cruz, CA
- Napa, 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
| Santa Cruz, CA | Napa, CA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $1,897 | – | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $1,965 | – | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $2,060 | – | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $2,131 | – | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $2,095 | – | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $2,198 | $1,961 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $2,189 | $2,016 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $2,257 | $2,014 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $2,233 | $2,015 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $2,317 | $2,062 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $2,357 | $2,066 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $2,348 | $2,167 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $2,368 | $2,132 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $2,457 | $2,201 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $2,460 | $2,221 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $2,459 | $2,202 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $2,475 | $2,237 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $2,508 | $2,264 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $2,517 | $2,289 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $2,508 | $2,261 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $2,534 | $2,298 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $2,530 | $2,297 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $2,554 | $2,390 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $2,611 | $2,446 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $2,601 | $2,388 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $2,721 | $2,449 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $2,874 | $2,584 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $2,900 | $2,578 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $2,990 | $2,616 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $3,057 | $2,732 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $3,163 | $2,749 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $3,126 | $2,702 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $3,105 | $2,753 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $3,226 | $2,780 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $3,257 | $2,767 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $3,164 | $2,755 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $3,227 | $2,792 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $3,317 | $2,824 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $3,360 | $2,826 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $3,284 | $2,817 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $3,321 | $2,834 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $3,381 | $2,836 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $3,347 | $2,839 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $3,364 | $2,809 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $3,378 | $2,794 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $3,494 | $2,864 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $3,469 | $2,906 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $869,000 in Napa vs $1,136,000 in Santa Cruz
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Santa Cruz, CA
- Napa, 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
| Santa Cruz, CA | Napa, CA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $610K | $542K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $626K | $556K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $637K | $564K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $659K | $586K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $682K | $604K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $688K | $613K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $688K | $615K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $704K | $629K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $721K | $643K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $730K | $653K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $739K | $657K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $763K | $669K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $783K | $681K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $797K | $690K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $798K | $691K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $801K | $698K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $790K | $703K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $791K | $707K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $793K | $710K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $792K | $714K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $803K | $720K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $805K | $721K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $822K | $727K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $869K | $763K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $918K | $796K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $984K | $834K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $1.02M | $848K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $1.04M | $854K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $1.12M | $895K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $1.18M | $929K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $1.12M | $904K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $1.09M | $889K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $1.05M | $879K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $1.07M | $894K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $1.1M | $915K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $1.1M | $912K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $1.1M | $906K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $1.11M | $920K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $1.11M | $918K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $1.1M | $911K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $1.09M | $909K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $1.08M | $894K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $1.08M | $878K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $1.1M | $875K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $1.11M | $878K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $1.12M | $869K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $1.14M | $869K | $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.