San Jose is “just over the hill” from our smaller community, but there is a world of difference between the two, both in cost of living and the quality of life.
We’ve already covered why home buyers are choosing Santa Cruz over larger centers like San Francisco. The same is true for San Jose.
San Jose is the third most populous city in California, after Los Angeles and San Diego. Its population of over one million residents dwarfs Santa Cruz's 60,000. A comparison of Santa Cruz and San Jose is really like comparing apples and oranges.
San Jose is a major commercial hub and the center of Silicon Valley, and Santa Cruz is a sleepy hamlet by the sea in comparison. A lot of the decision making will be personal preference and we wear our personal bias for Santa Cruz on our sleeve.
Here is it! Santa Cruz vs. San Jose: a cost and lifestyle comparison.
Cost of Housing
By and large, Santa Cruz is the less expensive community to live in.
The median price of a home is about $100,000 less - that’s a fair margin. The median price of a home is $1,003,100 in San Jose compared to $909,500 in Santa Cruz. San Jose is the larger center, so there will more variety and choice available on the market, but Santa Cruz still has plenty to offer.
Not to mention the large number of beautiful communities in the greater Santa Cruz County.
Even if you plan on renting in the long or short term, Santa Cruz will still save you money. The average rent across lofts, 1, 2 and 3-bedroom units will cost you an average of $200 more in San Jose!
Cost of Everyday Living
Living in a larger city definitely does have its perks.
You’ll find that on average, household incomes are about 48% higher in San Jose, but as we’ve pointed out - those hard-earned dollars won’t go quite as far.
The average cost of living is about 10% higher in San Jose. Plus, your commute will likely be about 6% longer, meaning more gas.
Also, interestingly, if a work-from-home lifestyle is your ambition, then Santa Cruz is the place to be. 37.1% more residents work from home in Santa Cruz, compared to San Jose.
That Irresistible Coastal Lifestyle
This one is a little harder to quantify, but Santa Cruz just has a super appealing lifestyle that home buyers from all over look for.
The population is lower, creating a small-town atmosphere, and the median age of residents is about 7 years younger in Santa Cruz. The result is a hip, dynamic and vibrant culture that is super laid-back and more in tune with nature.
Santa Cruz residents naturally love the beach, as well as the beautiful towering redwoods that populated the area - and there is plenty of opportunity to enjoy both. There’s the boardwalks or wharf of Santa Cruz, or the world-famous Capitola Beach, not to mention Rio Del Mar and La Selva on Monterey Bay.
For wild escapes into nature and ancient redwoods, Santa Cruz County is home to numerous state parks including Wilder Ranch State Park, Natural Bridges State Park and The Forest of the Nisene Marks State Park.
There’s a lot to consider when buying a home. If you work in San Jose, a 45-minute to an hour commute may be a worthy sacrifice if it means coming home to Santa Cruz every night.
If you're interested in learning more about the homes found in Santa Cruz, be sure to contact Lauren Spencer online or call 1.800.226.4717 to learn more about the area! She’s your local real estate expert and is always happy to help you with all your questions.
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