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Sacramento, CA vs Santa Clarita, CA

129
Sacramento
California
VS
-26%
175
Santa Clarita
California

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Sacramento is 26% cheaper than Santa Clarita. With a cost index of 129 vs 175, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Sacramento to Santa Clarita should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Sacramento is $1,694/month compared to $2,486/month in Santa Clarita — a 32% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Sacramento is more affordable at $484,600 median vs $721,000.

Median household income in Sacramento is $83,753 compared to $119,926 in Santa Clarita (-30.2%). While Santa Clarita is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Sacramento spend roughly 24.3% of their income on rent, less than the 24.9% in Santa Clarita.

Climate-wise, Santa Clarita is notably warmer with an average of 66.6°F compared to 63.4°F in Sacramento. Sacramento receives more rainfall at 19.2" per year compared to 13.4" in Santa Clarita.

Income & Cost

Cost of Living Index
Sacramento
129
26% cheaper
Santa Clarita
175
Median Household Income
Sacramento
$83,753
Santa Clarita
$119,926
30% higher

Housing

Median Rent
Sacramento
$1,694
32% cheaper
Santa Clarita
$2,486
Median Home Value
Sacramento
$484,600
33% cheaper
Santa Clarita
$721,000
Population
Sacramento
524,802
Santa Clarita
229,021

Salary Equivalency Calculator

What does your salary in one city buy you in the other?

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Rent by Bedroom Size

HUD Fair Market Rent (FY 2026) — metro area average

Studio
Sacramento $1,784
Santa Clarita $2,031
12% cheaper
1 Bed
Sacramento $1,871
Santa Clarita $2,272
18% cheaper
2 Bed
Sacramento $2,305
Santa Clarita $2,835
19% cheaper
3 Bed
Sacramento $3,077
Santa Clarita $3,599
15% cheaper
4 Bed
Sacramento $3,552
Santa Clarita $4,010
11% cheaper

Everyday Prices

BLS Average Prices by metro area

Gasoline (regular)
Sacramento $3.22
Santa Clarita $3.28
US $3.07
🥚
Eggs (grade A, large)
Sacramento $2.62
Santa Clarita $2.68
US $2.50
🥛
Milk (whole)
Sacramento $4.22
Santa Clarita $4.31
US $4.03
🍞
Bread (white)
Sacramento $1.94
Santa Clarita $1.98
US $1.85
🍗
Chicken breast
Sacramento $4.35
Santa Clarita $4.44
US $4.14
Electricity
Sacramento $0.26
Santa Clarita $0.27
US $0.19

Climate

NOAA 30-year normals (1991-2020)

Avg Temp
Sacramento 63.4°F
Santa Clarita 66.6°F
Summer High
Sacramento 94°F
Santa Clarita 91°F
Winter Low
Sacramento 41°F
Santa Clarita 46°F
Rainfall
Sacramento 19.2"
Santa Clarita 13.4"
Rainy Days
Sacramento 61d
Santa Clarita 34d