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

Santa Clarita

California
197
VS

Billings

Montana
86

Santa Clarita is 129% more expensive than Billings.

$2,486/mo ↑ 127%
Median Rent
$1,097/mo ↓ 56%
$119,926/yr ↑ 67%
Median Income
$71,855/yr ↓ 40%
$721,000 ↑ 131%
Home Value
$311,800 ↓ 57%
$2,649/mo ↑ 125%
Owner Costs
$1,177/mo ↓ 56%
229,021
Population
118,321

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
6.75%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
0%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.74%

Affordability

24.9%
rent-to-income
Affordability
18.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Clarita, CA and Billings, MT, the overall cost of living indices are 197 and 86 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,389/month cheaper in Billings, saving renters about $16,668/year.

Median household income is $48,071/year higher in Santa Clarita. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Clarita is $721,000 compared to $311,800 in Billings.

Montana has a lower income tax rate, making Billings slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Clarita vs Billings — common questions

Is Santa Clarita or Billings cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Billings is cheaper to live in with an index of 86 compared to 197 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Clarita and Billings?
Median rent in Santa Clarita is $2,486/month and in Billings it's $1,097/month — a difference of $1,389/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Clarita or Billings?
Median household income is $119,926 in Santa Clarita and $71,855 in Billings. Median household income is $48,071/year higher in Santa Clarita.
How do taxes compare between California and Montana?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Montana has 6.75% income tax, 0% sales tax, and 0.74% property tax.
Should I move to Santa Clarita or Billings?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Clarita has a cost index of 197 with median rent of $2,486/mo, while Billings has a cost index of 86 with rent of $1,097/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Santa Clarita details → View Billings details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Santa Clarita and Billings

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 Billings vs. Wilmington Billings vs. Richardson Billings vs. Spring Hill Billings vs. Cambridge Billings vs. West Palm Beach Billings vs. North Charleston