CostIndexUSA

Corvallis, OR vs Santa Cruz, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableOR
Corvallis
104
overall index
$1,950/mo rent
CA
Santa Cruz
109.9
overall index
$3,425/mo rent

Corvallis is moderately cheaper than Santa Cruz — 5.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Corvallis, you would need $84,500 in Santa Cruz. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+43.6%
Corvallis
114.4
Santa Cruz
164.3
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Corvallis
105.3
Santa Cruz
105.2
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Corvallis
105.3
Santa Cruz
105.3
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Corvallis
95.3
Santa Cruz
95.3
Utilities+40.6%
Corvallis
108.6
Santa Cruz
152.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Santa Cruz, CA
$84,500
$4,500 more needed in Santa Cruz

Formula: salary × (109.9 ÷ 104) = salary × 1.0567. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Corvallis, OR

Median Home Price
$542,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,950
Housing Index
114.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
23.2×

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 43.6% higher housing costs compared to Corvallis.

Income & Job Market

Corvallis, OR

Median Household Income
$73,000
Per Capita Income
$41,600
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
Population
58,641
Top Industries
EducationTechnologyHealthcareAgricultureManufacturing

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).

Corvallis, OR
3.1×income-to-rent ratio

68% 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.