CostIndexUSA

Cheyenne, WY vs Santa Cruz, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableWY
Cheyenne
96.5
overall index
$1,475/mo rent
CA
Santa Cruz
109.9
overall index
$3,425/mo rent

Cheyenne is moderately cheaper than Santa Cruz — 13.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Cheyenne, you would need $91,100 in Santa Cruz. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+83.0%
Cheyenne
89.8
Santa Cruz
164.3
🛒 Groceries+10.3%
Cheyenne
95.4
Santa Cruz
105.2
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Cheyenne
105.4
Santa Cruz
105.3
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Cheyenne
95.4
Santa Cruz
95.3
Utilities+95.8%
Cheyenne
78
Santa Cruz
152.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Cheyenne to see what you'd need to earn in Santa Cruz to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Santa Cruz, CA
$91,100
$11,100 more needed in Santa Cruz

Formula: salary × (109.9 ÷ 96.5) = salary × 1.1389. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Cheyenne, WY

Median Home Price
$377,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,475
Housing Index
89.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.3×

Santa Cruz, CA

Median Home Price
$1,091,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,425
Housing Index
164.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
26.5×

Santa Cruz has 83.0% higher housing costs compared to Cheyenne.

Income & Job Market

Cheyenne, WY

Median Household Income
$75,100
Per Capita Income
$42,800
Unemployment Rate
5.4%
Population
63,957
Top Industries
GovernmentMilitaryHealthcareRetailManufacturing

Santa Cruz, CA

Median Household Income
$105,600
Per Capita Income
$60,200
Unemployment Rate
5.8%
Population
64,725
Top Industries
EducationTechnologyTourismAgricultureHealthcare

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Cheyenne, WY
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Santa Cruz, CA
2.6×income-to-rent ratio

61% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.