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

Santa Clarita

California
197
VS

Berkeley

California
251

Santa Clarita is 22% cheaper than Berkeley.

$2,486/mo ↑ 17%
Median Rent
$2,127/mo ↓ 14%
$119,926/yr ↑ 10%
Median Income
$108,558/yr ↓ 9%
$721,000 ↓ 47%
Home Value
$1,351,100 ↑ 87%
$2,649/mo ↑ 13%
Owner Costs
$2,340/mo ↓ 12%
229,021
Population
120,223

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
13.3%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

24.9%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Clarita, CA and Berkeley, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 197 and 251 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $359/month cheaper in Berkeley, saving renters about $4,308/year.

Median household income is $11,368/year higher in Santa Clarita. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Clarita is $721,000 compared to $1,351,100 in Berkeley.

Both cities share the same state tax structure since they are in California.

Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Clarita vs Berkeley — common questions

Is Santa Clarita or Berkeley cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Santa Clarita is cheaper to live in with an index of 197 compared to 251 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Clarita and Berkeley?
Median rent in Santa Clarita is $2,486/month and in Berkeley it's $2,127/month — a difference of $359/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Clarita or Berkeley?
Median household income is $119,926 in Santa Clarita and $108,558 in Berkeley. Median household income is $11,368/year higher in Santa Clarita.
How do taxes compare between California and California?
Both cities are in California and share the same state tax rates: 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Santa Clarita or Berkeley?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Clarita has a cost index of 197 with median rent of $2,486/mo, while Berkeley has a cost index of 251 with rent of $2,127/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Santa Clarita details → View Berkeley details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Santa Clarita and Berkeley

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 Berkeley vs. Ann Arbor Berkeley vs. Fairfield Berkeley vs. Lafayette Berkeley vs. Hartford Berkeley vs. Rochester Berkeley vs. West Palm Beach