Denton, TX 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.
Denton
72.8
#822 nationally
Santa Cruz
60.5
#1932 nationally
Denton leads in crime level (5.6 vs 16.8). Denton leads in cost of living index (105 vs 205). Santa Cruz leads in walk score (63 vs 34).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Denton, TX | Santa Cruz, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.8 (#822) | 60.5 (#1932) |
| Population | 158,349 | 61,501 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $350,224 | $1,360,355 |
| Median Household Income | $71,921 | $105,491 |
| Average Commute | 24.7 min | 22.2 min |
| Walk Score | 34 | 63 |
| Crime Level | 5.6 | 16.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 105 | 205 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+13.2 | D+54.4 |
C-
72.8 Score
Denton, TX
Mid-size Texas city with community character
Median Home
$350,224
Population
158,349
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
34
Southwest
View Denton, TX →
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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