Santa Clarita vs Richmond: Cost of Living (2026)

A side-by-side comparison of Santa Clarita, CA and Richmond, VA, using US Census Bureau data.

MetricSanta Clarita, CARichmond, VA
Population225,850227,171
Median household income$116,186$59,606
Median home value$669,200$308,300
Median rent (/mo)$2,315$1,227

Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.

Comparing Santa Clarita, CA and Richmond, VA comes down to what you value most. Richmond has the lower median home value, and Richmond has the lower median rent.

Santa Clarita has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.

Frequently asked questions

Is it cheaper to live in Santa Clarita or Richmond?
By median home value, Richmond is the cheaper of the two ($308,300 vs $669,200). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
Which has higher salaries, Santa Clarita or Richmond?
Median household income is $116,186 in Santa Clarita versus $59,606 in Richmond, per the US Census Bureau.

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