CostIndexUSA

Ocala, FL vs Santa Cruz, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableFL
Ocala
95.2
overall index
$1,600/mo rent
CA
Santa Cruz
109.9
overall index
$3,425/mo rent

Ocala is significantly cheaper than Santa Cruz — 15.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Ocala, you would need $92,400 in Santa Cruz. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+90.6%
Ocala
86.2
Santa Cruz
164.3
🛒 Groceries+9.4%
Ocala
96.2
Santa Cruz
105.2
🚗 Transportation+1.4%
Ocala
103.8
Santa Cruz
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+1.5%
Ocala
93.9
Santa Cruz
95.3
Utilities+75.3%
Ocala
87.1
Santa Cruz
152.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Santa Cruz, CA
$92,400
$12,400 more needed in Santa Cruz

Formula: salary × (109.9 ÷ 95.2) = salary × 1.1544. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Ocala, FL

Median Home Price
$271,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,600
Housing Index
86.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.1×

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 90.6% higher housing costs compared to Ocala.

Income & Job Market

Ocala, FL

Median Household Income
$58,600
Per Capita Income
$33,400
Unemployment Rate
5.1%
Population
63,591
Top Industries
HealthcareEquestrianManufacturingRetailAgriculture

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).

Ocala, FL
3.1×income-to-rent ratio

67% 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.