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

Santa Clarita

California
197
VS

Clearwater

Florida
105

Santa Clarita is 88% more expensive than Clearwater.

$2,486/mo ↑ 62%
Median Rent
$1,539/mo ↓ 38%
$119,926/yr ↑ 86%
Median Income
$64,440/yr ↓ 46%
$721,000 ↑ 121%
Home Value
$326,100 ↓ 55%
$2,649/mo ↑ 88%
Owner Costs
$1,411/mo ↓ 47%
229,021
Population
117,075

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

24.9%
rent-to-income
Affordability
28.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Clarita, CA and Clearwater, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 197 and 105 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $947/month cheaper in Clearwater, saving renters about $11,364/year.

Median household income is $55,486/year higher in Santa Clarita. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Clarita is $721,000 compared to $326,100 in Clearwater.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Clarita vs Clearwater — common questions

Is Santa Clarita or Clearwater cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Clearwater is cheaper to live in with an index of 105 compared to 197 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Clarita and Clearwater?
Median rent in Santa Clarita is $2,486/month and in Clearwater it's $1,539/month — a difference of $947/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Clarita or Clearwater?
Median household income is $119,926 in Santa Clarita and $64,440 in Clearwater. Median household income is $55,486/year higher in Santa Clarita.
How do taxes compare between California and Florida?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Santa Clarita or Clearwater?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Clarita has a cost index of 197 with median rent of $2,486/mo, while Clearwater has a cost index of 105 with rent of $1,539/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Santa Clarita details → View Clearwater details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Santa Clarita and Clearwater

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 Clearwater vs. North Charleston Clearwater vs. Lakeland Clearwater vs. Cambridge Clearwater vs. The Woodlands Clearwater vs. Richardson Clearwater vs. Evansville