Berkeley, 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.
Berkeley
59.6
#1947 nationally
Santa Cruz
60.5
#1932 nationally
Santa Cruz leads in average commute (22.2 min vs 30.4 min). Berkeley leads in walk score (85 vs 63). Santa Cruz leads in cost of living index (205 vs 222).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Santa Cruz, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 59.6 (#1947) | 60.5 (#1932) |
| Population | 118,962 | 61,501 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,460,437 | $1,360,355 |
| Median Household Income | $104,716 | $105,491 |
| Average Commute | 30.4 min | 22.2 min |
| Walk Score | 85 | 63 |
| Crime Level | 17.5 | 16.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 222 | 205 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+53.6 | D+54.4 |
F
59.6 Score
Berkeley, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$1,460,437
Population
118,962
Crime
High
Walk Score
85
Pacific
View Berkeley, 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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