Santa Clarita, CA vs Simi Valley, CA

Santa Clarita, CA and Simi Valley, CA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.7% difference in their overall index. Santa Clarita scores 175 while Simi Valley scores 178 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 Santa Clarita is $2,486/month compared to $2,513/month in Simi Valley — a 1% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Santa Clarita is more affordable at $721,000 median vs $753,500.

Median household income in Santa Clarita is $119,926 compared to $117,703 in Simi Valley (+1.9%). 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 Santa Clarita spend roughly 24.9% of their income on rent, less than the 25.6% in Simi Valley.

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