Moving to
Scotts Valley.

$2,491/mo median rent

Rent is expensive here, at $2,491 a month median and well above the national average. This is the kind of city where housing costs deserve serious budgeting before committing to a move. Home prices are steep, with a median around $1,105,700. Renting first to get a feel for the city before buying is often the more practical route.

6.3% county unemployment

Unemployment in Santa Cruz County is 6.3%, well above the national average of 4.3%. Moving with a job already lined up matters more here. That's the county-wide rate; BLS doesn't measure a place this size on its own.

213 violent crimes per 100k

Pretty safe, all things considered. Violent crime sits below the national average, nothing alarming, just ordinary city-life awareness.

25 min average commute

Commutes run about average, at 24.9 minutes. Fine day to day, but it adds up over a year, and where someone lives relative to where they work starts to matter. 7 in 10 workers drive to work; 26% work from home.

56% bachelor's degree or higher

This is a highly educated city, with over half the adult population holding a college degree. That tends to shape the job market and the broader culture, and it's a solid indicator of a strong professional scene.

4 public schools inside the boundary

There are 4 public schools inside the boundary and 3 private schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 25:1, above the national average of 16:1.

The nearest national park or historic site is Eugene O'Neill National Historic Site (53 miles away). There are 8 national parks and sites within a day's drive.