Cost of Living: Santa Clara, CA vs West Palm Beach, FL (2026)

Santa Clara

California
307
VS

West Palm Beach

Florida
119

Santa Clara is 158% more expensive than West Palm Beach.

$2,985/mo ↑ 75%
Median Rent
$1,709/mo ↓ 43%
$173,670/yr ↑ 151%
Median Income
$69,261/yr ↓ 60%
$1,527,900 ↑ 313%
Home Value
$369,800 ↓ 76%
$3,051/mo ↑ 83%
Owner Costs
$1,667/mo ↓ 45%
129,239
Population
119,508

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

20.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
29.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Clara, CA and West Palm Beach, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 307 and 119 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,276/month cheaper in West Palm Beach, saving renters about $15,312/year.

Median household income is $104,409/year higher in Santa Clara. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Clara is $1,527,900 compared to $369,800 in West Palm Beach.

Florida has no state income tax, giving West Palm Beach residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Clara vs West Palm Beach — common questions

Is Santa Clara or West Palm Beach cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, West Palm Beach 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 West Palm Beach?
Median rent in Santa Clara is $2,985/month and in West Palm Beach it's $1,709/month — a difference of $1,276/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Clara or West Palm Beach?
Median household income is $173,670 in Santa Clara and $69,261 in West Palm Beach. Median household income is $104,409/year higher in Santa Clara.
How do taxes compare between California and Florida?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Santa Clara or West Palm Beach?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Clara has a cost index of 307 with median rent of $2,985/mo, while West Palm Beach has a cost index of 119 with rent of $1,709/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Santa Clara details → View West Palm Beach details →

More Comparisons

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