City Guide
Santa Cruz, CA
Overview
Santa Cruz, CA is recognized for its remarkable beaches, nice weather, surf culture, and vibrant arts. Santa Cruz is home to around 65,000 residents, so moving here will provide a welcoming small-town feel. There are countless facts that make the city special, one of which is that the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is the US's oldest amusement park. Another cool fact is that the surfwear company O'Neill is based in the city.
What’s it like to live in Santa Cruz, CA ?
If you're looking to buy a home for sale in Santa Cruz, CA you'll find that the median sale price is
$1,167,500
and homes stay on the market for 45 days. You'll find that the median sale prices of
a single family home and a condo/co-op in Santa Cruz are $1,405,000
and $1,042,500
, respectively. Santa Cruz area townhouses have a median sale price of $779,000
, making them less expensive
than single family homes. If you’re not ready to buy a home, consider one of the many apartments for rent in Santa Cruz, CAExplore our Santa Cruz housing market page for insights about how home values have changed over
the years and how Santa Cruz home prices compare to other markets. Explore our Santa Cruz rental market trends page for insights about how rental prices have changed and how Santa Cruz rental prices compare to other rental markets. If you're curious about the most valuable home features in Santa Cruz, or looking for a new home improvement project,
discover what home features and design trends may help increase your home's value.
Popular neighborhoods in and around Santa Cruz
| Neighborhood | Median Sale Price | Compete Score | Walk Score | Real Estate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seabright | $1,650,000 | 77 / 100 | -- | For SaleFor Rent |
| Central Santa Cruz | $1,000,000 | 76 / 100 | -- | For SaleFor Rent |
| River Street | $899,000 | -- | -- | For SaleFor Rent |
| Westlake | $1,675,000 | 65 / 100 | -- | For SaleFor Rent |
| Market Street | $1,293,500 | 59 / 100 | -- | For SaleFor Rent |
Popular homes for sale in Santa Cruz
See all homes for sale
Rental listings in Santa Cruz
See how much rent you can affordSee all rental listings
Santa Cruz Migration & Relocation Trends
In Jan '25 - Mar '25, 23% of Santa Cruz homebuyers searched to move out of Santa Cruz, while 77% looked to stay within the metropolitan area.
- Across the nation, 3% of homebuyers searched to move into Santa Cruz from outside metros.
- Knoxville homebuyers searched to move into Santa Cruz more than any other metro followed by Honolulu and Santa Barbara.
Where are people moving to Santa Cruz from?
- 77% of Santa Cruz homebuyers searched to stay within the Santa Cruz metropolitan area.
- Sacramento was the most popular destination among Santa Cruz homebuyers followed by Los Angeles and Miami.
Where are people from Santa Cruz moving to?
Number of People Moving to Santa Cruz
least
most
People are moving to Santa Cruz from
| Inbound | Net inflow | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Metros | Jan '25 - Mar '25 | ||
| 1 | 1,500 | ||
| 2 | 1,192 | ||
| 3 | 966 | ||
| 4 | 146 | ||
| 5 | 118 | ||
| 6 | 110 | ||
| 7 | 97 | ||
| 8 | 14 | ||
| 9 | 10 | ||
| 10 | 4 | ||
People are leaving Santa Cruz for
| Outbound | Net outflow | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Metros | Jan '25 - Mar '25 | ||
| 1 | 12,740 | ||
| 2 | 2,235 | ||
| 3 | 2,190 | ||
| 4 | 1,878 | ||
| 5 | 1,851 | ||
| 6 | 1,487 | ||
| 7 | 1,370 | ||
| 8 | 1,286 | ||
| 9 | 1,228 | ||
| 10 | 1,126 | ||
Methodology
This data does not reflect actual moves. The latest migration analysis is based on a sample of about two
million Redfin.com users who searched for homes across more than 100 metro areas. To be included in this dataset, a Redfin.com user
must have viewed at least 10 homes in a three month period. This dataset excludes all rentals data.
What is there to do in Santa Cruz, CA ?
Some of the best things to do in Santa Cruz, CA, range from checking out local parks, dining at some of the best restaurants in town, and enjoying local art. Some of the many museums you can visit include Seymour Marine Discovery Center, Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, and Museum of Art & History, which are popular amongst locals and tourists alike. You'll find that there's a rich arts and culture scene, with many performing arts centers such as Rio Theatre and Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Stage. There are plenty of green spaces and ocean views to be found throughout Santa Cruz. For example, you can enjoy a picnic or walk through many parks, like Wilder Ranch State Park, De Laveaga Park, or Lighthouse Field State Beach. You'll find plenty of restaurants and charming cafes throughout the city. Make sure you grab a bite to eat at Crow's Nest Restaurant, Oswald Restaurant, and Laili Restaurant for a small taste of what this city has to offer.
Explore some of the best things to do in Santa Cruz
What's the best way to get around Santa Cruz, CA ?
The best way to get around Santa Cruz is by bike, but there are many methods for getting around the city. If you’re exploring the city by foot, Santa Cruz has a walk score of 63, meaning this area is somewhat walkable. Another way to get around the city is by public transportation. Santa Cruz has a transit score of 35, with a few nearby public transportation options. Most bus stations and rail stations are located in 95060. You can also get around Santa Cruz by bike. With a bike score of 86, it's convenient to use a bike for most trips.
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
Some Transit
Transit Score®
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
Santa Cruz Transportation
Bus Station
Buses can be found throughout the city and are easily accessible to commute in the city.
Rail Station
Santa Cruz has 1 heavy rail station; Polar Express Train ride Santa Cruz. This means you might be able to use heavy rail to commute or travel, depending on where you live and where you want to go.
Tram Station
Our data indicates this city does not have this transportation type.
Metro Station
Our data indicates this city does not have this transportation type.
Car & Bike Rentals
Renting a car is another good way to get around the city. There are 9 car rental locations. Renting a bike is another good way to get around. There is 1 bike rental location.
Airports
Santa Cruz has 1 airport which allows you to easily travel.
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