How long is the commute from Santa Cruz, CA?
Workers who live in Santa Cruz, CA take an average of 22.8 minutes to get to work (2020–2024 American Community Survey).
51.3% of workers drive alone to work.
4.7% take public transportation.
9.0% of workers walk to work.
22.2% work from home.
8.0% of households have no vehicle.
Figures last updated on .
- Average commute
- 22.8 minutes (±1.1)
- Public transportation
- 4.7%
- Work from home
- 22.2%
- Households without a car
- 8.0%
How people in Santa Cruz get to work
| Means of transportation | Santa Cruz | Santa Cruz County | California | United States |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drove alone | 51.3% (±2.9 points) | 62.2% | 65.7% | 68.8% |
| Carpooled | 6.2% (±1.2 points) | 8.1% | 9.5% | 8.5% |
| Public transportation | 4.7% (±1.1 points) | 1.9% | 2.9% | 3.2% |
| Walked | 9.0% (±1.5 points) | 4.2% | 2.4% | 2.4% |
| Other means (bicycle, taxi, motorcycle) | 6.6% (±1.4 points) | 4.3% | 2.4% | 2.0% |
| Worked from home | 22.2% (±2.2 points) | 19.3% | 17.2% | 15.1% |
In Santa Cruz, the average commute is lower than in Santa Cruz County (25.7 minutes).
It is also lower than in California (28.7 minutes).
It is lower than the national figure (26.4 minutes).
In Santa Cruz, the share commuting by public transportation is higher than in Santa Cruz County (1.9%).
It is also higher than in California (2.9%).
It is higher than the national figure (3.2%).
In Santa Cruz County, Santa Cruz ranks 20 of 23 places with a published estimate, from highest to lowest average commute.
Statewide, it ranks 845 of 1,076.
Rankings use the estimates alone; where margins of error overlap, neighboring ranks may not truly differ.
Cars per household in Santa Cruz
| Vehicles available | Santa Cruz | Santa Cruz County | California | United States |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No vehicle | 8.0% (±1.7 points) | 5.2% | 7.1% | 8.4% |
| 1 vehicle | 32.0% (±2.7 points) | 27.6% | 30.7% | 33.1% |
| 2 vehicles | 33.6% (±3.0 points) | 38.1% | 36.3% | 36.6% |
| 3 or more vehicles | 26.5% (±2.3 points) | 29.2% | 25.8% | 21.9% |
In Santa Cruz, the share of households without a vehicle is higher than in Santa Cruz County (5.2%).
It is not measurably different from California (7.1%).
It is not measurably different from the national figure (8.4%).
Working from home and internet access in Santa Cruz
| Santa Cruz | Santa Cruz County | California | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Workers working from home | 22.2% (±2.2 points) | 19.3% (±1.1 points) | 17.2% (±0.1 points) | 15.1% |
| Households with a computer | 98.0% (±1.0 points) | 97.1% (±0.5 points) | 96.9% (±0.1 points) | 95.5% |
| Households with broadband internet | 95.5% (±1.3 points) | 94.2% (±0.7 points) | 93.5% (±0.1 points) | 91.0% |
In Santa Cruz, the share of households with a broadband subscription is not measurably different from Santa Cruz County (94.2%).
It is also higher than in California (93.5%).
It is higher than the national figure (91.0%).
Average commute in places near Santa Cruz
| Place | Distance | Average commute | Compared with this place |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Cruz | — | 22.8 minutes (±1.1) | — |
| Twin Lakes | 2.6 mi | 20.5 minutes (±2.1) | Not measurably different |
| Live Oak (community) | 3.1 mi | 21.9 minutes (±1.7) | Not measurably different |
| Pleasure Point | 3.7 mi | 22.9 minutes (±4.4) | Not measurably different |
| Capitola | 4.5 mi | 23.4 minutes (±2.6) | Not measurably different |
| Soquel | 5.1 mi | 23.0 minutes (±1.9) | Not measurably different |
| Felton | 5.1 mi | 26.4 minutes (±3.2) | Higher |
| Scotts Valley | 5.8 mi | 24.9 minutes (±2.5) | Not measurably different |
| Seacliff | 6.4 mi | 24.1 minutes (±3.7) | Not measurably different |
Nearby places with a measurably higher figure: Felton, CA (26.4 minutes).
Distance is measured in a straight line between the Census Bureau’s internal points for each place.
Average commute across Santa Cruz County, place by place
| Rank | Place | Average commute |
|---|---|---|
| 14 | Aptos | 25.4 minutes (±3.3) |
| 15 | Scotts Valley | 24.9 minutes (±2.5) |
| 16 | Seacliff | 24.1 minutes (±3.7) |
| 17 | Capitola | 23.4 minutes (±2.6) |
| 18 | Soquel | 23.0 minutes (±1.9) |
| 19 | Pleasure Point | 22.9 minutes (±4.4) |
| 20 | Santa Cruz | 22.8 minutes (±1.1) |
| 21 | Live Oak (community) | 21.9 minutes (±1.7) |
| 22 | Corralitos | 21.4 minutes (±6.0) |
| 23 | Twin Lakes | 20.5 minutes (±2.1) |
Showing 10 of 23 places in Santa Cruz County, ranked from highest to lowest.
Survey years: 2020–2024 (American Community Survey 5-year estimates).
Margins of error are at the 90% confidence level.
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Questions about Santa Cruz
How long is the average commute in Santa Cruz?
Workers who live in Santa Cruz, CA take an average of 22.8 minutes each way (2020–2024 American Community Survey).
Can you live in Santa Cruz without a car?
8.0% of households in Santa Cruz have no vehicle, and 4.7% of workers commute by public transportation.
How many people work from home in Santa Cruz?
22.2% (±2.2 points) of workers who live in Santa Cruz worked from home, and 95.5% of households have a broadband subscription.
Sources
- Selected Economic Characteristics (DP03), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Santa Cruz city, California
- Selected Housing Characteristics (DP04), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Santa Cruz city, California
- Selected Social Characteristics (DP02), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Santa Cruz city, California
To check these figures in the Census Bureau’s own API, request the variables below from the 2024 ACS 5-year data profile (acs/acs5/profile) for Santa Cruz city, California (place:69112, in state:06).
Each estimate (E or PE) has a margin of error beside it (M or PM).
The API needs a free key.
DP03_0018E, DP03_0018M, DP03_0025E, DP03_0025M, DP03_0019PE, DP03_0019PM, DP03_0020PE, DP03_0020PM, DP03_0021PE, DP03_0021PM, DP03_0022PE, DP03_0022PM, DP03_0023PE, DP03_0023PM, DP03_0024PE, DP03_0024PM, DP04_0058PE, DP04_0058PM, DP04_0059PE, DP04_0059PM, DP04_0060PE, DP04_0060PM, DP04_0061PE, DP04_0061PM, DP02_0153PE, DP02_0153PM, DP02_0154PE, DP02_0154PM
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Figures are published by the US Census Bureau, HUD, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the FBI; Seayora reproduces them and does not adjust them, except where a sentence says it compares dollar figures after inflation. They describe the whole place, not any one building or street, and are not an appraisal, a rent determination, a tax bill, a safety rating or legal advice.
Figures last updated on .
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