Cost of Living: Santa Clarita, CA vs Arvada, CO (2026)

Santa Clarita

California
197
VS

Arvada

Colorado
152

Santa Clarita is 30% more expensive than Arvada.

$2,486/mo ↑ 38%
Median Rent
$1,802/mo ↓ 28%
$119,926/yr ↑ 6%
Median Income
$113,396/yr ↓ 5%
$721,000 ↑ 20%
Home Value
$600,800 ↓ 17%
$2,649/mo ↑ 36%
Owner Costs
$1,948/mo ↓ 26%
229,021
Population
122,835

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
4.4%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
2.9%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.51%

Affordability

24.9%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Clarita, CA and Arvada, CO, the overall cost of living indices are 197 and 152 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $684/month cheaper in Arvada, saving renters about $8,208/year.

Median household income is $6,530/year higher in Santa Clarita. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Clarita is $721,000 compared to $600,800 in Arvada.

Colorado has a lower income tax rate, making Arvada slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Clarita vs Arvada — common questions

Is Santa Clarita or Arvada cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Arvada is cheaper to live in with an index of 152 compared to 197 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Clarita and Arvada?
Median rent in Santa Clarita is $2,486/month and in Arvada it's $1,802/month — a difference of $684/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Clarita or Arvada?
Median household income is $119,926 in Santa Clarita and $113,396 in Arvada. Median household income is $6,530/year higher in Santa Clarita.
How do taxes compare between California and Colorado?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Colorado has 4.4% income tax, 2.9% sales tax, and 0.51% property tax.
Should I move to Santa Clarita or Arvada?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Clarita has a cost index of 197 with median rent of $2,486/mo, while Arvada has a cost index of 152 with rent of $1,802/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Santa Clarita details → View Arvada details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Santa Clarita and Arvada

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 Arvada vs. Concord Arvada vs. Clovis Arvada vs. Round Rock Arvada vs. College Station Arvada vs. Vallejo Arvada vs. Independence