Cost of Living: Arlington, TX vs Santa Clarita, CA (2026)

Arlington

Texas
95
VS

Santa Clarita

California
197

Arlington is 52% cheaper than Santa Clarita.

$1,389/mo ↓ 44%
Median Rent
$2,486/mo ↑ 79%
$73,519/yr ↓ 39%
Median Income
$119,926/yr ↑ 63%
$276,400 ↓ 62%
Home Value
$721,000 ↑ 161%
$1,420/mo ↓ 46%
Owner Costs
$2,649/mo ↑ 87%
394,769
Population
229,021

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
13.3%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

22.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Arlington, TX and Santa Clarita, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 95 and 197 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,097/month cheaper in Arlington, saving renters about $13,164/year.

Median household income is $46,407/year higher in Santa Clarita. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Arlington is $276,400 compared to $721,000 in Santa Clarita.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Arlington residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Arlington vs Santa Clarita — common questions

Is Arlington or Santa Clarita cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Arlington is cheaper to live in with an index of 95 compared to 197 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Arlington and Santa Clarita?
Median rent in Arlington is $1,389/month and in Santa Clarita it's $2,486/month — a difference of $1,097/month.
Which city has higher income, Arlington or Santa Clarita?
Median household income is $73,519 in Arlington and $119,926 in Santa Clarita. Median household income is $46,407/year higher in Santa Clarita.
How do taxes compare between Texas and California?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Arlington or Santa Clarita?
It depends on your priorities. Arlington has a cost index of 95 with median rent of $1,389/mo, while Santa Clarita has a cost index of 197 with rent of $2,486/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Arlington details → View Santa Clarita details →

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