Los Banos, 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 Banos
64.1
#1717 nationally
Santa Cruz
60.5
#1932 nationally
Los Banos leads in crime level (5.9 vs 16.8). Santa Cruz leads in average commute (22.2 min vs 50.4 min). Santa Cruz leads in walk score (63 vs 33).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Los Banos, CA | Santa Cruz, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 64.1 (#1717) | 60.5 (#1932) |
| Population | 48,553 | 61,501 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $463,701 | $1,360,355 |
| Median Household Income | $76,164 | $105,491 |
| Average Commute | 50.4 min | 22.2 min |
| Walk Score | 33 | 63 |
| Crime Level | 5.9 | 16.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 128 | 205 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+4.4 | D+54.4 |
D
64.1 Score
Los Banos, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$463,701
Population
48,553
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
33
Pacific
View Los Banos, 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 →
Try a different matchup
Swap Los Banos for: