Cost of Living: Santa Cruz, CA vs Norton Shores, MI

Quick rent-and-take-home comparison

Using a baseline of $70,000/yr gross, take-home is about $3,974/mo in Santa Cruz, CA versus $4,268/mo in Norton Shores, MI. In the model, rent is about 33.55% of gross in Santa Cruz, CA versus 18.74% in Norton Shores, MI, so Norton Shores, MI tends to feel more affordable for rent.

Take-home in Santa Cruz, CA
$3,974/mo
Income level: below
Take-home in Norton Shores, MI
$4,268/mo
Income level: near
Rent share (1BR) in Santa Cruz, CA
33.55%
COLI tier: mid-range
Rent share (1BR) in Norton Shores, MI
18.74%
COLI tier: mid-range

Compare cost of living, rent, housing prices, and salary affordability between Santa Cruz, CA and Norton Shores, MI.

At a glance

  • Cheaper overall (lower cost-of-living index): Norton Shores, MI
  • Lower rent (median 1BR/2BR): Norton Shores, MI
  • Lower home prices: Norton Shores, MI
  • Higher median household income: Santa Cruz, CA

Cost of Living Index

Santa Cruz, CA: 100 (U.S. = 100) · Norton Shores, MI: 100 (U.S. = 100)

Both cities have the same cost-of-living index (U.S. average = 100).

Median Rent

Santa Cruz, CA: $2,187/mo (midpoint of 1BR/2BR) · Norton Shores, MI: $1,222/mo

Median rent in Santa Cruz, CA is $965/mo higher than in Norton Shores, MI.

Median Home Price

Santa Cruz, CA: $1,180,100 · Norton Shores, MI: $214,000

Median home price in Santa Cruz, CA is $966,100 higher than in Norton Shores, MI.

Median Household Income

Santa Cruz, CA: $111,427 · Norton Shores, MI: $73,390

Santa Cruz, CA has a higher median household income than Norton Shores, MI by $38,037.

Santa Cruz, CA overview · Norton Shores, MI overview · Popular comparisons