A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Newton vs. Santa Cruz for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Newton or Santa Cruz?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Newton and Santa Cruz can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Newton or Santa Cruz?

Newton

Newton, a large suburb of Boston, consists of 13 villages or neighborhoods: Auburndale, Chestnut Hill, Lower Falls, Newton Centre, Newton Corner, Newton Highlands, Newtonville, Nonantum, Oak Hill, Thompsonville, Upper Falls, Waban, and West Newton. It's a good sized city with a population of over 80,000. Each village has its own historical and architectural character. Many of the villages were founded around railroad stations when the Boston & Worcester line opened in 1833 along the north side of the city. Another railroad line started along the south side of town in 1851. It's now the "D" line of the MBTA's Green Line. Walking tours of most villages are available and recommended for history buffs.

Santa Cruz

On the central coast of California in between Monterey Bay and San Jose lies Santa Cruz, California, a laid-back coastal college town with a reputation of locals open to liberal views and accepting of alternative lifestyles. Among its residents are University of California, Santa Cruz students, a large artist colony, and professional surfers.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, and The Best Walking Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Newton and Santa Cruz, we can see that Newton is more expensive. And not only is Santa Cruz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Santa Cruz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santa Cruz and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Newton would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Newton than you might in Santa Cruz.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Newton Expensive? and Is Santa Cruz Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Newton or Santa Cruz?

Newton has a larger population, and is about 55% larger than the population of Santa Cruz. When comparing the sizes of Newton and Santa Cruz, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Newton or Santa Cruz?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Newton or Santa Cruz in the Summer?

Both Santa Cruz and Newton during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Santa Cruz because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Newton is a little warmer than Santa Cruz. Typically, the summer temperatures in Newton in July average around 73°F (23°C), and Santa Cruz averages at about 67°F (19°C).

Newton usually gets more rain in July than Santa Cruz. Newton gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.1 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Newton or Santa Cruz in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Newton and Santa Cruz. Also, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Santa Cruz this time of year.

In October, Newton is generally cooler than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Newton average around 54°F (12°C), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

In October, Newton usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Newton gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Newton or Santa Cruz in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Newton as well as Santa Cruz. Also, many travelers come to Santa Cruz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Newton in the winter. Newton is much colder than Santa Cruz in the winter. The daily temperature in Newton averages around 29°F (-2°C) in January, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 51°F (10°C).

Newton usually gets more rain in January than Santa Cruz. Newton gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Newton or Santa Cruz in the Spring?

Both Santa Cruz and Newton are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Santa Cruz in the spring for the beaches.

In the spring, Newton is much colder than Santa Cruz. Typically, the spring temperatures in Newton in April average around 48°F (9°C), and Santa Cruz averages at about 58°F (14°C).

In April, Newton usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Newton gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 1 inches (26 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Santa Cruz and Newton