Moving from San Jose, CA to Santa Cruz, CA
About 4,445 people made this move in a typical year (Census Bureau metro-to-metro migration flows, ACS 5-year 2016-2020). Here is what the move does to two households’ budgets after 2026 taxes — and the salary each needs in Santa Cruz, CA.
Single, $70k: line by line
Single adult earning $70,000, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (1 bedroom). Taxes take 21.6% of income in San Jose, CA and 21.6% in Santa Cruz, CA.
San Jose, CA Santa Cruz, CA (monthly)
| Monthly | San Jose, CA | Santa Cruz, CA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $5,833 | $5,833 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,258 | $1,258 | $0 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law | $548 | $548 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $446 | $446 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law | $189 | $189 | $0 |
| State Disability Insurance (SDI)2026 tax law | $76 | $76 | $0 |
| Take-home pay | $4,575 | $4,575 | $0 |
| Housing | $2,778 | $3,390 | +$612 |
| Rent, 1-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $2,778 | $3,390 | +$612 |
| Food | $463 | $463 | $0 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 105.2 | $463 | $463 | $0 |
| Transportation | $249 | $249 | $0 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 12,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $6.23/gal (CA weekly average) | $249 | $249 | $0 |
| Sales tax | $38 | $38 | $0 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 7.25% on other goods; groceries exempt — local add-ons not modeled | $38 | $38 | $0 |
| Other goods & services | $1,027 | $1,027 | $0 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 105.2 | $526 | $526 | $0 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 100.3 | $501 | $501 | $0 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $19 | −$593 | −$612 |
Family of four, $120k: line by line
Two adults, a preschooler and a school-age child, $120,000 combined, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (2 bedrooms), center-based childcare in current dollars. Taxes take 15.5% of income in San Jose, CA and 15.5% in Santa Cruz, CA.
San Jose, CA Santa Cruz, CA (monthly)
| Monthly | San Jose, CA | Santa Cruz, CA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $10,000 | $10,000 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,545 | $1,545 | $0 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law · after $4,400 Child Tax Credit | $470 | $470 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $765 | $765 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law | $180 | $180 | $0 |
| State Disability Insurance (SDI)2026 tax law | $130 | $130 | $0 |
| Take-home pay | $8,455 | $8,455 | $0 |
| Housing | $3,272 | $4,254 | +$982 |
| Rent, 2-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $3,272 | $4,254 | +$982 |
| Childcare | $4,490 | $2,107 | −$2,383 |
| Childcare, center-basedDOL NDCP 2022 · preschool $256/wk, school-age $142/wk (2022 prices, Santa Cruz County, CA); × 1.2224 BLS CPI day care, 2022 to 2026-08 | $4,490 | $2,107 | −$2,383 |
| Food | $1,349 | $1,349 | $0 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 105.2 | $1,349 | $1,349 | $0 |
| Transportation | $498 | $498 | $0 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 24,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $6.23/gal (CA weekly average) | $498 | $498 | $0 |
| Sales tax | $38 | $38 | $0 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 7.25% on other goods; groceries exempt — local add-ons not modeled | $38 | $38 | $0 |
| Other goods & services | $1,027 | $1,027 | $0 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 105.2 | $526 | $526 | $0 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 100.3 | $501 | $501 | $0 |
| Left over after modeled costs | −$2,220 | −$819 | +$1,401 |
San Jose, CA vs Santa Cruz, CA at a glance
| Measure | San Jose, CA | Santa Cruz, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Price level (BEA RPP, US = 100) | 110.4 | 109.9 |
| Housing price level | 211.9 | 164.3 |
| 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $2,778 | $3,390 |
| 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $3,272 | $4,254 |
| 3-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $4,396 | $5,531 |
| Median home value | $1,447,800 | $1,027,500 |
| Effective property-tax rate | 0.68% | 0.64% |
| Median household income | $162,111 | $111,093 |
| Center infant care / week (DOL NDCP 2022 unless noted) | $527 | $477 |
| State income tax on wages | Yes | Yes |
| Mandatory local income tax (principal city) | None in our data | None in our data |
| State sales tax | 7.25% | 7.25% |
| Regular gasoline | $6.23 | $6.23 |
| Average electric bill (state) | $155 | $155 |
Sources: BEA RPP 2024; HUD FMR FY2027; Census ACS 2020-2024; DOL NDCP 2022; 2026 tax law; state revenue departments; EIA (electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05).
Frequently asked questions
How much do I need to make in Santa Cruz, CA to keep my San Jose, CA lifestyle?+
For a single renter earning $70,000 in San Jose, CA, about $82,050 in Santa Cruz, CA (+17.2%). For two adults with a preschooler and a school-age child on $120,000, about $97,005. Both keep the same money left over after 2026 taxes, rent, childcare, food, fuel and other modeled costs.
Is Santa Cruz, CA cheaper than San Jose, CA?+
On BEA’s 2024 price index, Santa Cruz, CA is at 109.9 and San Jose, CA at 110.4 (US = 100). After taxes and household costs, a single renter on $70,000 would have −$612 a month in Santa Cruz, CA.
How many people move from San Jose, CA to Santa Cruz, CA?+
About 4,445 people a year (±801), according to the Census Bureau’s metro-to-metro migration flows (ACS 5-year 2016-2020).
What isn’t included?+
Moving costs, health insurance, car payments and insurance, local sales tax add-ons and differences in wages between the two metros. Add known monthly costs in the calculator’s “Fixed costs / month” field.