San Bruno, 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.
San Bruno
63.5
#1767 nationally
Santa Cruz
60.5
#1932 nationally
San Bruno leads in crime level (7.0 vs 16.8). San Bruno leads in median household income ($131,669 vs $105,491). Santa Cruz leads in average commute (22.2 min vs 26.3 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | San Bruno, CA | Santa Cruz, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 63.5 (#1767) | 60.5 (#1932) |
| Population | 41,327 | 61,501 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,308,809 | $1,360,355 |
| Median Household Income | $131,669 | $105,491 |
| Average Commute | 26.3 min | 22.2 min |
| Walk Score | 56 | 63 |
| Crime Level | 7.0 | 16.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 214 | 205 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+50.3 | D+54.4 |
D
63.5 Score
San Bruno, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,308,809
Population
41,327
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
56
Pacific
View San Bruno, 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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