Orange, CA vs Santa Clarita, CA

Orange, CA and Santa Clarita, CA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.4% difference in their overall index. Orange scores 182 while Santa Clarita scores 175 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Orange is $2,252/month compared to $2,486/month in Santa Clarita — a 9% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Orange has cheaper rent, Santa Clarita actually has lower median home values ($721,000 vs $900,700).

Median household income in Orange is $116,945 compared to $119,926 in Santa Clarita (-2.5%). Santa Clarita offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Orange spend roughly 23.1% of their income on rent, less than the 24.9% in Santa Clarita.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (64.9°F vs 66.6°F). Santa Clarita receives more rainfall at 13.4" per year compared to 11.2" in Orange.