Is Santa Clarita, CA cheaper than Sacramento, CA?

Based on cost of living data, Santa Clarita, CA is 36.7% more expensive than Sacramento, 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 Sacramento, CA?

If you earn $150,000 in Sacramento, 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 Sacramento, CA and Santa Clarita, CA?

Housing in Santa Clarita, CA is 75.7% more expensive than in Sacramento, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $2,197/month in Santa Clarita, CA compared to $2,180/month in Sacramento, CA.

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

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

Sacramento, 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 Sacramento, 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 Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, 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.

Sacramento, CA

Population:525K

Cost Index:

100

100 = national average

Median Home:$460K

Santa Clarita, CA

Population:224K

Cost Index:

137

(37% above avg)

Median Home:$885K

Sacramento, CA

The Golden State

525K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 525K 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: Sacramento, CA vs Santa Clarita, CA

Category	Sacramento, CA	Santa Clarita, CA	Difference	Change
Housing	$3,664/mo	$6,439/mo	↑ $2,774more	75.7%
Transportation	$1,421/mo	$1,992/mo	↑ $572more	40.2%
Other	$1,808/mo	$1,598/mo	↓ $210less	11.6%
Healthcare	$620/mo	$532/mo	↓ $87.38less	14.1%
Groceries	$1,059/mo	$999/mo	↓ $59.75less	5.6%
All Utilities	$530/mo	$536/mo	↑ $5.48more	1.0%

Housing

↑ 75.7%

Sacramento, CA

$3,664

Santa Clarita, CA

$6,439

Difference

$2,774

Transportation

↑ 40.2%

Sacramento, CA

$1,421

Santa Clarita, CA

$1,992

Difference

$572

Other

↓ 11.6%

Sacramento, CA

$1,808

Santa Clarita, CA

$1,598

Difference

$210

less

Healthcare

↓ 14.1%

Sacramento, CA

$620

Santa Clarita, CA

$532

Difference

$87.38

less

Groceries

↓ 5.6%

Sacramento, CA

$1,059

Santa Clarita, CA

$999

Difference

$59.75

less

All Utilities

↑ 1.0%

Sacramento, CA

$530

Santa Clarita, CA

$536

Difference

$5.48

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,690

To$1,452

↓ $238

1 Bed

From$1,770

To$1,648

↓ $122

2 Bed

From$2,180

To$2,197

↑ $17.00

3 Bed

From$2,900

To$3,296

↑ $396

Sacramento, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,320–$2,310/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.

$9,102

Monthly in Sacramento, CA

$12,096

Monthly in Santa Clarita, CA

$2,995

Difference

Home Values

Sacramento

Santa Clarita

$460K

Median Value

↓ -2.7%

YoY Change

↑ +18.2%

5-Year Change

$352K - $969K

Price Range

Calculate payment - Sacramento

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

Sacramento, 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

Sacramento, 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.