Santa Cruz
California

What stands out

Against every county in America, Santa Cruz County is unusual in three ways: the median home price is among the priciest in America ($1.2M), the typical two-bedroom rent is among the highest in America ($2,247 a month), and the home price against local income is among the most stretched in America (7.5 years of income). Within California it ranks 6th of 58 counties for the median home price.

Where you are

You live in Santa Cruz County, California. 268,571 people live here with you. The population shrank 1.0% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -3,455).

California's 13.3% top income-tax rate applies only to income above roughly $1 million, and Proposition 13 caps property-tax growth at 2% a year for as long as you own the home, so long-time owners pay far less than new buyers on identical houses. Wildfire risk now drives insurance availability in much of the state, and several major carriers have stopped writing new homeowner policies.

Money

The typical household here brings in $104,409 a year, higher than 97% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $67,622. Unemployment runs 4.8%, higher than 86% of American counties. 16% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 22 minutes each way.

California takes 5.9% of that median income in state income tax, about $6,149 a year.

Home

The median home costs $1.2M, pricier than almost every county in America, about 7.5 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $2,247 a month. Property tax is 0.63% of home value, roughly $6,011 a year on that median home, lower than 73% of American counties. 60% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.4 per 1,000 residents, lower than 76% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 35 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 82.1 years, longer than 98% of American counties. There are 776 active physicians in the county, about 28.9 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.0 of 5 stars. 6.1% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.68 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 88% of American counties. 89% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 53 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 75% of eligible voters turned out. Under California law you need local approval to carry a concealed handgun, abortion is protected by state law, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

The year averages 58°F, highs near 69 and lows near 48, warmer than 60% of American counties. About 28 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 98 out of 100, riskier than 98% of American counties; the county has had 34 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 233 Mbps down, faster than 65% of American counties. There are 4 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.9 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 13 breweries, 11 museums.