Santa Cruz, CA

Santa Cruz, CA, is one of the best places to live. The gorgeous city offers a lovely mix of urban-suburban vibe – all possible amenities and a relaxed feel. Santa Cruz residents can enjoy the amazing state parks of the Santa Cruz Mountains, outdoor recreation, bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and some of the world’s best beaches.

Santa Cruz is truly a multifaceted city – it’s a college town (thanks to the University of California), a beach town, and a cultural center all rolled into one. Needless to say, it appeals to hippies and yuppies as much as it does to families and students. The city is known for its boardwalks, wide sandy beaches, and venues for amusement.Interestingly, the population mostly comprises highly educated people.

The median home value in Santa Cruz is approximately $1,387,904. The average listing home price per square foot runs to about $835.

Santa Cruz is currently experiencing a seller’s market. That is to say, there are more people looking to buy a home than there are houses available. The housing shortage has made home values go up 6.9% over the past year. On average, a house sells after 42 to 45 days of being on the real estate market.

Owing to the high home costs, most Santa Cruz residents rent their homes. The average monthly rent for a standard-sized apartment in Santa Cruz is about $3,334. Keep in mind that the average size of a Santa Cruz apartment is 707 square feet.

The rent keeps increasing based on the type of housing unit, the square footage, the location, and the neighborhood. You can find cheaper or more luxurious alternatives for houses and apartments alike. A studio apartment is generally the most affordable housing option available.

City highlights

Santa Cruz, situated in Santa Cruz County, is a popular tourist destination – known for its vast, beautiful beaches, high-stoke surf culture, and amazing off-shore breaks. But this carefree stretch of coastline is much more than just wetsuits and surfboards.

The city is famous for the University of California, one of the best educational institutions in the world. Santa Cruz boasts a natural setting, historic landmarks, a gorgeous shoreline, and a sizable number of redwood forests.

There are several indigenous groups making up the local population. And that mix makes Santa Cruz a foodie’s paradise. You get some amazing food from all over the world. You can take a gastronomic tour during the annual Traditional Food Festival held in September to know exactly what we mean. Apart from the food, residents can enjoy regular concerts and exhibitions.

Geographic location

Santa Cruz is located on the northern edge of Monterey Bay. It covers a total area of 15.8 square miles, comprising 12.7 square miles of land and 3.1 square miles of water. Santa Cruz locals often discuss the city in terms of three distinct regions: east side, west side, and midtown.

Climate

The county experiences mild weather throughout the year – a Mediterranean climate with a wet winter season and a warm, mostly dry summer season. However, you can often find fog and low overcast during the night and early morning hours in the summers, mostly because of the proximity to Monterey Bay.

The temperature varies from 35°F to 91°F during the course of the year. The most pleasant months are August, July, and September while January and December are cold months.

Demography

Santa Cruz has a population of approximately $62,956. That translates to an average population density of 1,715.8 per square mile. The place boasts a multicultural heritage; 78.7% of the population is White, 17.4% is Hispanic or Latino, 1.7% is African American, 0.9% is Native American, 4.9% is Asian, 0.1% is Pacific Islander, and the rest is from other races.

The city has a crime rate of 48 per one thousand residents – that means it has one of the highest crime rates in America.

Most of the residents are young adults in their 20s and early 30s – making the median age about 29 years. A typical family in Santa Cruz will have 2.9 people including children and parents, on average.

Cost of Living

Santa Cruz is an expensive place to reside in. Compared to the rest of the United States, the cost of living here is 103.5% higher than the national average.

The median income ranges from $74,446 to $89,986 – depending on the job description and the skill set. A family of four generally has a monthly expenditure of $5,053.6, excluding rent. A single person will have to pay an estimated monthly cost of about $1,404.4, excluding the monthly rent.

Fortunately, there has been considerable job growth by almost 1.8% in the past year and the rate of unemployment is 4.5% – much lesser than the U.S. average of 6%.

Transportation

Moving around Santa Cruz is relatively easy as the city is structured around perpendicularly intersected circular streets. The best and cheapest way to travel in and around Santa Cruz is by using public transportation.

The average commute time for a professional is approximately 23.5 minutes. Most of the residents drive their own car (58.1%), some carpool with others (7.9%), a few people work from home (6.5%), and the rest use mass transit (6.5%). The city has an average walk score of 63 and many of the facilities can be availed on foot.

Schools

Santa Cruz schools are high-rated. Some of the best schools include Westlake Elementary School, Green Acres Elementary School, Mission Hill Middle School, Branciforte Middle School, Santa Cruz High School, Harbor High School, Soquel High School, and Pacific Collegiate Charter School.

Santa Cruz is home to the famous University of California, Santa Cruz, Five Branches University, and a full-fledged campus of Cabrillo College.

What is the city like?

The place is perfect for nature lovers. You can enjoy surfing at the stunning natural beaches, trails across the massive redwood mountains, and frequent visits to the historic landmarks and the charming downtown area. And for those who like to add a pinch of spice to their weekends, there is the Santa Cruz nightlife – with pubs, fine dining, live bands, and casinos – to satiate the soul. Additionally, there are several annual events and festivals to keep you socially active.

The incredible city has an excellent school system, thriving business centers, the famous Santa Cruz Boardwalk and Beach, the Wilder Ranch State Park, and the Seymour Marine Discovery Center.

If you’re contemplating making Santa Cruz your home, you’ve already made a good decision!