Clifton, NJ vs Santa Cruz, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Clifton
69.5
#1194 nationally
Santa Cruz
60.5
#1932 nationally
Clifton leads in crime level (4.5 vs 16.8). Clifton leads in cost of living index (133 vs 205). Santa Cruz leads in average commute (22.2 min vs 28.6 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Clifton, NJ | Santa Cruz, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 69.5 (#1194) | 60.5 (#1932) |
| Population | 88,461 | 61,501 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $618,464 | $1,360,355 |
| Median Household Income | $94,179 | $105,491 |
| Average Commute | 28.6 min | 22.2 min |
| Walk Score | 62 | 63 |
| Crime Level | 4.5 | 16.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 133 | 205 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+2.9 | D+54.4 |
D+
69.5 Score
Clifton, NJ
New Jersey community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$618,464
Population
88,461
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
62
Northeast
View Clifton, NJ →
D-
60.5 Score
Santa Cruz, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,360,355
Population
61,501
Crime
High
Walk Score
63
Pacific
View Santa Cruz, CA →