- Cost of Living
- United States
- United States
- San Francisco, California
- Santa Cruz, California
- Comparison
Cost of living in San Francisco, California (United States) is 26% more expensive than in Santa Cruz, California (United States)
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WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 476 prices entered by 70 different people.
Full price comparison, by category
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Currency:
| Food | + 28% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in San Francisco, California (United States) is 28% more expensive than in Santa Cruz, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Francisco, California | Santa Cruz, California | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $21 | $14 | + 48% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $13 | $10 | + 27% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $8 | $5.05 | + 56% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.62 | $1.12 | + 44% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $7 | $6 | + 11% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $6 | $5.58 | + 14% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $8 | $13 | - 36% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $4.18 | $4.32 | - 3% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.21 | $2.01 | + 10% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $6 | $4.32 | + 44% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $16 | $17 | - 4% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $3.17 | $1.87 | + 69% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.81 | $2.51 | + 12% | |
| Housing | + 39% | |||
| Housing in San Francisco, California (United States) is 39% more expensive than in Santa Cruz, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Francisco, California | Santa Cruz, California | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $4,943 | $3,032 | + 63% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $3,497 | $2,566 | + 36% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $174 | $196 | - 11% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $3,510 | $2,028 | + 73% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $2,486 | $2,308 | + 8% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $113 | $121 | - 6% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $46 | $46 | - 1% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $242 | $332 | - 27% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $146 | $133 | + 9% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $10 | $12 | - 16% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $40 | $34 | + 18% | |
| Clothes | + 4% | |||
| Clothes in San Francisco, California (United States) is about the same as in Santa Cruz, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Francisco, California | Santa Cruz, California | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $68 | $50 | + 35% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $39 | $48 | - 18% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $116 | $78 | + 50% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $168 | $132 | + 27% | |
| Transportation | + 21% | |||
| Transportation in San Francisco, California (United States) is 21% more expensive than in Santa Cruz, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Francisco, California | Santa Cruz, California | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $33,029 | $24,663 | + 34% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.48 | $1.13 | + 31% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $83 | $68 | + 22% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $19 | $23 | - 19% | |
| Personal Care | - 6% | |||
| Personal Care in San Francisco, California (United States) is 6% cheaper than in Santa Cruz, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Francisco, California | Santa Cruz, California | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $9 | $7 | + 33% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $11 | $13 | - 16% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $132 | $221 | - 40% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $7 | - | - | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.46 | $3.53 | + 26% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $9 | $5.09 | + 80% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $5.23 | $3.56 | + 47% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $2.38 | $1.88 | + 27% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $31 | $27 | + 13% | |
| Entertainment | + 18% | |||
| Entertainment in San Francisco, California (United States) is 18% more expensive than in Santa Cruz, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Francisco, California | Santa Cruz, California | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $63 | $69 | - 9% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $34 | $25 | + 37% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $371 | - | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $136 | $99 | + 38% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $18 | - | - | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.62 | - | - | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $8 | $7 | + 18% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $343 | $375 | - 9% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.24 | $0.19 | + 23% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $81 | $62 | + 31% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $13 | $8 | + 57% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 26% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 476 prices entered by 70 different people.
These prices were last updated on June 07, 2023.
Detailed prices for each city individually
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For example, you would need at least $11,999 in San Francisco, California to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with $9,500 in Santa Cruz, California.
Do you live in Santa Cruz, California? We need your help!
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