Cost of Living: Santa Clara, CA vs Gresham, OR (2026)

Santa Clara

California
307
VS

Gresham

Oregon
119

Santa Clara is 158% more expensive than Gresham.

$2,985/mo ↑ 98%
Median Rent
$1,508/mo ↓ 49%
$173,670/yr ↑ 136%
Median Income
$73,608/yr ↓ 58%
$1,527,900 ↑ 247%
Home Value
$440,000 ↓ 71%
$3,051/mo ↑ 92%
Owner Costs
$1,590/mo ↓ 48%
129,239
Population
112,818

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
9.9%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
0%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.93%

Affordability

20.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Clara, CA and Gresham, OR, the overall cost of living indices are 307 and 119 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,477/month cheaper in Gresham, saving renters about $17,724/year.

Median household income is $100,062/year higher in Santa Clara. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Clara is $1,527,900 compared to $440,000 in Gresham.

Oregon has a lower income tax rate, making Gresham slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Clara vs Gresham — common questions

Is Santa Clara or Gresham cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Gresham is cheaper to live in with an index of 119 compared to 307 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Clara and Gresham?
Median rent in Santa Clara is $2,985/month and in Gresham it's $1,508/month — a difference of $1,477/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Clara or Gresham?
Median household income is $173,670 in Santa Clara and $73,608 in Gresham. Median household income is $100,062/year higher in Santa Clara.
How do taxes compare between California and Oregon?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Oregon has 9.9% income tax, 0% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax.
Should I move to Santa Clara or Gresham?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Clara has a cost index of 307 with median rent of $2,985/mo, while Gresham has a cost index of 119 with rent of $1,508/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Santa Clara details → View Gresham details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Santa Clara and Gresham

Santa Clara vs. Carrollton Santa Clara vs. Fargo Santa Clara vs. New Haven Santa Clara vs. Norman Santa Clara vs. Sterling Heights Santa Clara vs. Lewisville Gresham vs. Beaumont Gresham vs. Las Cruces Gresham vs. Springfield Gresham vs. Lansing Gresham vs. Odessa Gresham vs. Pompano Beach