Santa Clarita, CA Relocation Guide (2026)
Cost of living, housing, and income data for Santa Clarita, sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Salary needed to live in Santa Clarita →
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Last updated July 2026.
Santa Clarita's population is about 225,850. On income, the typical household clears $116,186 a year, running above the median household income across the cities we cover (+61%).
Expect a median home value of $669,200 in Santa Clarita, which runs above what we see across other cities (+105%). Median rent lands at $2,315/month — a useful baseline before comparing mortgage payments to rent.
The ratio of median home value to median household income in Santa Clarita — roughly 5.8× — is on the high side, a sign that local pay hasn't kept pace with housing costs. Santa Clarita's home prices climbed 1.7% over the past year — steady appreciation without signs of overheating. FEMA's National Risk Index puts Santa Clarita at Very High for overall natural-hazard risk, a factor that can push home insurance costs up.
Personal Affordability Check
Renting at $2,315/mo in Santa Clarita would take 23.9% of your income.
$590/mo under the 30% guideline.
Buying the median home ($669,200) would take 36.9% of your income toward principal & interest.
$862/mo over the 28% guideline.
Cost of housing in Santa Clarita
Median home value is $669,200 and median gross rent is $2,315/month. For buyers, monthly costs depend heavily on current mortgage rates — worth checking before you commit.
FHFA's county-level home price index for Los Angeles rose 1.7% over the past year (as of 2025).
HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit in the surrounding county is $2,601/month.
Climate & home insurance
FEMA rates Santa Clarita's overall natural-hazard risk as Very High. Risk level is a major driver of home insurance premiums.
Safety
Santa Clarita reported a violent crime rate of 173 per 100,000 residents in 2025, per FBI data.
Moving to Santa Clarita
Planning a move to Santa Clarita? Compare licensed movers and get quotes based on your origin and move date.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the cost of living in Santa Clarita, CA?
- Cost of living in Santa Clarita centers on housing: median home value runs $669,200, median rent runs $2,315/month, and the typical household earns $116,186 a year. Data via the US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022).
- How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Santa Clarita?
- At Santa Clarita's median rent of $2,315/month, the 30%-of-income guideline suggests an annual income around $92,600 to stay comfortably housed. See the full salary breakdown (renting and buying) for Santa Clarita.
- Is it better to rent or buy in Santa Clarita?
- Comparing the two in Santa Clarita: renting at the median $2,315/month needs about $92,600 in annual income (30% guideline), while buying the $669,200 median home needs roughly $153,110 a year in principal-and-interest, assuming 20% down and a 30-year fixed loan at current rates.
- Is Santa Clarita safe?
- Santa Clarita reported a violent crime rate of 173 per 100,000 residents in 2025, per FBI data. Compare that figure against other cities you're considering for context.
See the full salary breakdown for Santa Clarita →
Cities with a similar cost of living
Matched on median rent and household income within 15% of Santa Clarita's.