Rancho Palos Verdes, 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.
Rancho Palos Verdes
61.8
#1890 nationally
Santa Cruz
60.5
#1932 nationally
Rancho Palos Verdes leads in crime level (2.5 vs 16.8). Santa Cruz leads in walk score (63 vs 28). Rancho Palos Verdes leads in median household income ($166,747 vs $105,491).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Rancho Palos Verdes, CA | Santa Cruz, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 61.8 (#1890) | 60.5 (#1932) |
| Population | 39,980 | 61,501 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,827,501 | $1,360,355 |
| Median Household Income | $166,747 | $105,491 |
| Average Commute | 33.3 min | 22.2 min |
| Walk Score | 28 | 63 |
| Crime Level | 2.5 | 16.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 242 | 205 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+32.9 | D+54.4 |
D-
61.8 Score
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,827,501
Population
39,980
Crime
Low
Walk Score
28
Pacific
View Rancho Palos Verdes, 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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