El Cerrito, CA 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.
El Cerrito
61.4
#1907 nationally
Santa Cruz
60.5
#1932 nationally
Santa Cruz leads in average commute (22.2 min vs 32.6 min). El Cerrito leads in crime level (13.1 vs 16.8). El Cerrito leads in median household income ($120,414 vs $105,491).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | El Cerrito, CA | Santa Cruz, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 61.4 (#1907) | 60.5 (#1932) |
| Population | 25,552 | 61,501 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,149,856 | $1,360,355 |
| Median Household Income | $120,414 | $105,491 |
| Average Commute | 32.6 min | 22.2 min |
| Walk Score | 67 | 63 |
| Crime Level | 13.1 | 16.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 202 | 205 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+38.0 | D+54.4 |
D-
61.4 Score
El Cerrito, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,149,856
Population
25,552
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
67
Pacific
View El Cerrito, CA →
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 →
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