Riverbank, 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.
Riverbank
69.4
#1221 nationally
Santa Cruz
60.5
#1932 nationally
Riverbank leads in crime level (4.5 vs 16.8). Santa Cruz leads in walk score (63 vs 38). Riverbank leads in cost of living index (131 vs 205).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Riverbank, CA | Santa Cruz, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 69.4 (#1221) | 60.5 (#1932) |
| Population | 25,001 | 61,501 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $487,457 | $1,360,355 |
| Median Household Income | $89,504 | $105,491 |
| Average Commute | 28.8 min | 22.2 min |
| Walk Score | 38 | 63 |
| Crime Level | 4.5 | 16.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 131 | 205 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+11.0 | D+54.4 |
D+
69.4 Score
Riverbank, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$487,457
Population
25,001
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
38
Pacific
View Riverbank, 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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