Cost of Living: Santa Clarita, CA vs Alexandria, VA (2026)

Santa Clarita

California
197
VS

Alexandria

Virginia
173

Santa Clarita is 14% more expensive than Alexandria.

$2,486/mo ↑ 22%
Median Rent
$2,031/mo ↓ 18%
$119,926/yr ↑ 6%
Median Income
$113,638/yr ↓ 5%
$721,000 ↑ 3%
Home Value
$696,800 ↓ 3%
$2,649/mo ↑ 22%
Owner Costs
$2,173/mo ↓ 18%
229,021
Population
156,788

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
5.75%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
5.3%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

24.9%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Clarita, CA and Alexandria, VA, the overall cost of living indices are 197 and 173 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $455/month cheaper in Alexandria, saving renters about $5,460/year.

Median household income is $6,288/year higher in Santa Clarita. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Clarita is $721,000 compared to $696,800 in Alexandria.

Virginia has a lower income tax rate, making Alexandria slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Clarita vs Alexandria — common questions

Is Santa Clarita or Alexandria cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Alexandria is cheaper to live in with an index of 173 compared to 197 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Clarita and Alexandria?
Median rent in Santa Clarita is $2,486/month and in Alexandria it's $2,031/month — a difference of $455/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Clarita or Alexandria?
Median household income is $119,926 in Santa Clarita and $113,638 in Alexandria. Median household income is $6,288/year higher in Santa Clarita.
How do taxes compare between California and Virginia?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Santa Clarita or Alexandria?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Clarita has a cost index of 197 with median rent of $2,486/mo, while Alexandria has a cost index of 173 with rent of $2,031/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Santa Clarita details → View Alexandria details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Santa Clarita and Alexandria

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 Alexandria vs. Murfreesboro Alexandria vs. Macon Alexandria vs. Paterson Alexandria vs. Lakewood Alexandria vs. Corona Alexandria vs. Killeen