Palisades Park, 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.
Palisades Park
69.7
#1176 nationally
Santa Cruz
60.5
#1932 nationally
Palisades Park leads in crime level (0.7 vs 16.8). Santa Cruz leads in average commute (22.2 min vs 32.7 min). Palisades Park leads in walk score (81 vs 63).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Palisades Park, NJ | Santa Cruz, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 69.7 (#1176) | 60.5 (#1932) |
| Population | 20,102 | 61,501 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,015,171 | $1,360,355 |
| Median Household Income | $93,250 | $105,491 |
| Average Commute | 32.7 min | 22.2 min |
| Walk Score | 81 | 63 |
| Crime Level | 0.7 | 16.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 161 | 205 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+3.4 | D+54.4 |
D+
69.7 Score
Palisades Park, NJ
Small New Jersey city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,015,171
Population
20,102
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
81
Northeast
View Palisades Park, 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 →
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