Is Santa Clarita, CA cheaper than Salt Lake City, UT?

Based on cost of living data, Santa Clarita, CA is 60.4% more expensive than Salt Lake City, UT. This translates to spending an extra $4530 per month.

What salary do I need in Santa Clarita, CA to live like I do in Salt Lake City, UT?

If you earn $150,000 in Salt Lake City, UT, you'd need approximately $204,354.529 in Santa Clarita, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Salt Lake City, UT and Santa Clarita, CA?

Housing in Santa Clarita, CA is 154.4% more expensive than in Salt Lake City, UT. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $2,197/month in Santa Clarita, CA compared to $1,400/month in Salt Lake City, UT.

How much can I save per month by moving from Salt Lake City, UT to Santa Clarita, CA?

Living in Santa Clarita, CA costs approximately $4530 more per month than Salt Lake City, UT, or $54355 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Salt Lake City, UT 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 Salt Lake City, UT

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $4.5K/month more in Santa Clarita, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $204.4K in Santa Clarita, CA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Salt Lake City, UT area

Overall Cost

↑ 60.4%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$4,530

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$54.4K

Per year

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

Salt Lake City, UT

Population:210K

Cost Index:

100

100 = national average

Median Home:$518K

Santa Clarita, CA

Population:224K

Cost Index:

160

(60% above avg)

Median Home:$885K

Salt Lake City, UT

The Beehive State

210K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Utah, this city has a population of 210K 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: Salt Lake City, UT vs Santa Clarita, CA

Category	Salt Lake City, UT	Santa Clarita, CA	Difference	Change
Housing	$2,531/mo	$6,439/mo	↑ $3,908more	154.4%
Transportation	$1,247/mo	$1,992/mo	↑ $746more	59.8%
Healthcare	$625/mo	$532/mo	↓ $92.86less	14.9%
Other	$1,670/mo	$1,598/mo	↓ $71.81less	4.3%
All Utilities	$472/mo	$536/mo	↑ $63.76more	13.5%
Groceries	$950/mo	$999/mo	↑ $49.53more	5.2%

Housing

↑ 154.4%

Salt Lake City, UT

$2,531

Santa Clarita, CA

$6,439

Difference

$3,908

Transportation

↑ 59.8%

Salt Lake City, UT

$1,247

Santa Clarita, CA

$1,992

Difference

$746

Healthcare

↓ 14.9%

Salt Lake City, UT

$625

Santa Clarita, CA

$532

Difference

$92.86

less

Other

↓ 4.3%

Salt Lake City, UT

$1,670

Santa Clarita, CA

$1,598

Difference

$71.81

less

All Utilities

↑ 13.5%

Salt Lake City, UT

$472

Santa Clarita, CA

$536

Difference

$63.76

Groceries

↑ 5.2%

Salt Lake City, UT

$950

Santa Clarita, CA

$999

Difference

$49.53

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,008

To$1,452

↑ $444

1 Bed

From$1,168

To$1,648

↑ $480

2 Bed

From$1,400

To$2,197

↑ $797

3 Bed

From$1,872

To$3,296

↑ $1,424

Salt Lake City, UTZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,310–$1,820/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.

$7,494

Monthly in Salt Lake City, UT

$12,096

Monthly in Santa Clarita, CA

$4,602

Difference

Home Values

Salt Lake City

Santa Clarita

$518K

Median Value

↑ +0.4%

YoY Change

↑ +30.4%

5-Year Change

$400K - $902K

Price Range

Calculate payment - Salt Lake City

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $3.4K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$279

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

2.2%

Rate difference

Salt Lake City, UT

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Utah State Tax

Effective: 4.9%

$7.3K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.5%

$44.3K

Take-Home Pay

$8,809/month

$105.7K

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

Salt Lake City, UT Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.4%

Property Tax:0.6%

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.