2026 Top Cities by Overall Score in Santa Cruz County
2026 Top Cities by Overall Score in:
Houseberry’s list of the best neighborhoods overall in Santa Cruz, where we've considered data on schools, safety
Live Oak ranks first of 5 ranked cities in Santa Cruz County on overall score, at 4.1 out of 5. Aptos is next at 3.7 out of 5. 1 city in Santa Cruz County scores 4 out of 5 or higher overall.
School : 3.5/5
Safety : 5.0/5
Amenities : 0.7/5
Price : -
Appreciation : -
Value: $0
School : 3.5/5
Safety : 5.0/5
Amenities : 0.7/5
Price : -
Appreciation : -
Value: $0
School : 2.6/5
Safety : 5.0/5
Amenities : 1.4/5
Price : -
Appreciation : -
Value: $0
School : 2.6/5
Safety : 5.0/5
Amenities : 1.4/5
Price : -
Appreciation : -
Value: $0
School : 2.5/5
Safety : 5.0/5
Amenities : 0.6/5
Price : -
Appreciation : -
Value: $0
School : 2.5/5
Safety : 5.0/5
Amenities : 0.6/5
Price : -
Appreciation : -
Value: $0
School : 2.0/5
Safety : 4.0/5
Amenities : 1.9/5
Price : -
Appreciation : -
Value: $0
School : 2.0/5
Safety : 4.0/5
Amenities : 1.9/5
Price : -
Appreciation : -
Value: $0
School : 2.4/5
Safety : 2.8/5
Amenities : 2.7/5
Price : $449,506
Appreciation : -
Value: $15 Overvalued
School : 2.4/5
Safety : 2.8/5
Amenities : 2.7/5
Price : $449,506
Appreciation : -
Value: $15 Overvalued
Scores updated October 2026
Santa Cruz County cities: your questions, answered
What are the best cities to live in Santa Cruz County?
By Houseberry's overall score, the top-ranked cities in Santa Cruz County are Live Oak (4.1 out of 5), Aptos (3.7 out of 5) and Pasatiempo (3.6 out of 5), out of 5 ranked.
How many cities in Santa Cruz County score 4 out of 5 or higher overall?
Of the 5 cities in Santa Cruz County with an overall score, 1 scores 4 out of 5 or higher overall. The highest is Live Oak (4.1 out of 5).
Which city in Santa Cruz County has the highest school score?
Live Oak has the highest school score of the ranked cities in Santa Cruz County, at 3.5 out of 5.
Which city in Santa Cruz County has the highest safety score?
Live Oak, Aptos and Pasatiempo share the highest safety score of the ranked cities in Santa Cruz County, at 5.0 out of 5.
More rankings in Santa Cruz County
- Best cities for schools in Santa Cruz County
- Safest cities in Santa Cruz County
- Best cities for amenities in Santa Cruz County
- Best-value cities in Santa Cruz County
- Fastest-appreciating cities in Santa Cruz County
Nearby counties
Santa Clara County · San Mateo County · Alameda County · San Francisco County · Contra Costa County