Montclair, 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.
Montclair
60.8
#1923 nationally
Santa Cruz
60.5
#1932 nationally
Montclair leads in cost of living index (139 vs 205). Santa Cruz leads in median household income ($105,491 vs $72,789). Santa Cruz leads in average commute (22.2 min vs 31.3 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Montclair, CA | Santa Cruz, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 60.8 (#1923) | 60.5 (#1932) |
| Population | 37,545 | 61,501 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $661,144 | $1,360,355 |
| Median Household Income | $72,789 | $105,491 |
| Average Commute | 31.3 min | 22.2 min |
| Walk Score | 57 | 63 |
| Crime Level | 17.6 | 16.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 139 | 205 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+2.1 | D+54.4 |
D-
60.8 Score
Montclair, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$661,144
Population
37,545
Crime
High
Walk Score
57
Pacific
View Montclair, 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 Montclair for: