Los Angeles, 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.
Los Angeles
60.9
#1917 nationally
Santa Cruz
60.5
#1932 nationally
Santa Cruz leads in average commute (22.2 min vs 31.4 min). Santa Cruz leads in median household income ($105,491 vs $74,891). Los Angeles leads in cost of living index (173 vs 205).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Santa Cruz, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 60.9 (#1917) | 60.5 (#1932) |
| Population | 3,822,238 | 61,501 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $946,268 | $1,360,355 |
| Median Household Income | $74,891 | $105,491 |
| Average Commute | 31.4 min | 22.2 min |
| Walk Score | 68 | 63 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | 16.8 |
| School Rating | 5.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 173 | 205 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+32.9 | D+54.4 |
D-
60.9 Score
Los Angeles, CA
Entertainment capital of the world
Median Home
$946,268
Population
3,822,238
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C
Pacific
View Los Angeles, 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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