Is Santa Clarita, CA cheaper than Moreno Valley, CA?

Based on cost of living data, Santa Clarita, CA is 36.7% more expensive than Moreno Valley, CA. This translates to spending an extra $2755 per month.

What salary do I need in Santa Clarita, CA to live like I do in Moreno Valley, CA?

If you earn $150,000 in Moreno Valley, CA, you'd need approximately $183,064.896 in Santa Clarita, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Moreno Valley, CA and Santa Clarita, CA?

Housing in Santa Clarita, CA is 83.5% more expensive than in Moreno Valley, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $2,197/month in Santa Clarita, CA compared to $2,560/month in Moreno Valley, CA.

How much can I save per month by moving from Moreno Valley, CA to Santa Clarita, CA?

Living in Santa Clarita, CA costs approximately $2755 more per month than Moreno Valley, CA, or $33065 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Moreno Valley, CA vs Santa Clarita, CA: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

Current salary in Moreno Valley, CA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $2.8K/month more in Santa Clarita, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $183.1K in Santa Clarita, CA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA area

Overall Cost

↑ 36.7%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$2,755

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$33.1K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Moreno Valley, CA

Population:212K

Cost Index:

100

100 = national average

Median Home:$560K

Santa Clarita, CA

Population:224K

Cost Index:

137

(37% above avg)

Median Home:$885K

Moreno Valley, CA

The Golden State

212K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 212K residents.

Santa Clarita, CA

The Golden State

224K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 224K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Moreno Valley, CA vs Santa Clarita, CA

Category	Moreno Valley, CA	Santa Clarita, CA	Difference	Change
Housing	$3,508/mo	$6,439/mo	↑ $2,930more	83.5%
Transportation	$2,158/mo	$1,992/mo	↓ $166less	7.7%
Other	$1,724/mo	$1,598/mo	↓ $126less	7.3%
Groceries	$1,039/mo	$999/mo	↓ $39.76less	3.8%
All Utilities	$557/mo	$536/mo	↓ $21.84less	3.9%
Healthcare	$551/mo	$532/mo	↓ $19.23less	3.5%

Housing

↑ 83.5%

Moreno Valley, CA

$3,508

Santa Clarita, CA

$6,439

Difference

$2,930

Transportation

↓ 7.7%

Moreno Valley, CA

$2,158

Santa Clarita, CA

$1,992

Difference

$166

less

Other

↓ 7.3%

Moreno Valley, CA

$1,724

Santa Clarita, CA

$1,598

Difference

$126

less

Groceries

↓ 3.8%

Moreno Valley, CA

$1,039

Santa Clarita, CA

$999

Difference

$39.76

less

All Utilities

↓ 3.9%

Moreno Valley, CA

$557

Santa Clarita, CA

$536

Difference

$21.84

less

Healthcare

↓ 3.5%

Moreno Valley, CA

$551

Santa Clarita, CA

$532

Difference

$19.23

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,970

To$1,452

↓ $518

1 Bed

From$2,070

To$1,648

↓ $422

2 Bed

From$2,560

To$2,197

↓ $363

3 Bed

From$3,390

To$3,296

↓ $94.00

Moreno Valley, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,970–$2,360/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$9,539

Monthly in Moreno Valley, CA

$12,096

Monthly in Santa Clarita, CA

$2,557

Difference

Home Values

Moreno Valley

Santa Clarita

$560K

Median Value

↓ -2.6%

YoY Change

↑ +38.4%

5-Year Change

$510K - $606K

Price Range

Calculate payment - Moreno Valley

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

→ $0

Same taxes

Monthly Difference

Same take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.0%

Rate difference

Moreno Valley, CA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

California State Tax

Effective: 7.1%

$10.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.8%

$47.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,530/month

$102.4K

Santa Clarita, CA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

California State Tax

Effective: 7.1%

$10.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.8%

$47.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,530/month

$102.4K

Additional Tax Information

Moreno Valley, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

Santa Clarita, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.