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

Santa Clarita

California
197
VS

Abilene

Texas
71

Santa Clarita is 177% more expensive than Abilene.

$2,486/mo ↑ 125%
Median Rent
$1,106/mo ↓ 56%
$119,926/yr ↑ 91%
Median Income
$62,720/yr ↓ 48%
$721,000 ↑ 303%
Home Value
$178,900 ↓ 75%
$2,649/mo ↑ 138%
Owner Costs
$1,114/mo ↓ 58%
229,021
Population
127,130

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

24.9%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Clarita, CA and Abilene, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 197 and 71 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,380/month cheaper in Abilene, saving renters about $16,560/year.

Median household income is $57,206/year higher in Santa Clarita. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Clarita is $721,000 compared to $178,900 in Abilene.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Clarita vs Abilene — common questions

Is Santa Clarita or Abilene cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Abilene is cheaper to live in with an index of 71 compared to 197 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Clarita and Abilene?
Median rent in Santa Clarita is $2,486/month and in Abilene it's $1,106/month — a difference of $1,380/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Clarita or Abilene?
Median household income is $119,926 in Santa Clarita and $62,720 in Abilene. Median household income is $57,206/year higher in Santa Clarita.
How do taxes compare between California and Texas?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Santa Clarita or Abilene?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Clarita has a cost index of 197 with median rent of $2,486/mo, while Abilene has a cost index of 71 with rent of $1,106/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Santa Clarita details → View Abilene details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Santa Clarita and Abilene

Santa Clarita vs. Spokane Santa Clarita vs. Fremont Santa Clarita vs. Enterprise Santa Clarita vs. Richmond Santa Clarita vs. Norfolk Santa Clarita vs. Baton Rouge Abilene vs. Columbia Abilene vs. Athens Abilene vs. Lehigh Acres Abilene vs. Topeka Abilene vs. Lewisville Abilene vs. Pearland