Appleton, WI 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.
Appleton
77.6
#227 nationally
Santa Cruz
60.5
#1932 nationally
Appleton leads in crime level (5.5 vs 16.8). Appleton leads in cost of living index (94 vs 205). Santa Cruz leads in walk score (63 vs 44).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Appleton, WI | Santa Cruz, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 77.6 (#227) | 60.5 (#1932) |
| Population | 74,719 | 61,501 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $309,058 | $1,360,355 |
| Median Household Income | $75,469 | $105,491 |
| Average Commute | 19.4 min | 22.2 min |
| Walk Score | 44 | 63 |
| Crime Level | 5.5 | 16.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 94 | 205 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+10.2 | D+54.4 |
C+
77.6 Score
Appleton, WI
Wisconsin community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$309,058
Population
74,719
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
44
Midwest
View Appleton, WI →
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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