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

Santa Clarita

California
197
VS

Fairfield

California
167

Santa Clarita is 18% more expensive than Fairfield.

$2,486/mo ↑ 13%
Median Rent
$2,191/mo ↓ 12%
$119,926/yr ↑ 17%
Median Income
$102,321/yr ↓ 15%
$721,000 ↑ 22%
Home Value
$592,500 ↓ 18%
$2,649/mo ↑ 19%
Owner Costs
$2,226/mo ↓ 16%
229,021
Population
119,985

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
25.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Clarita, CA and Fairfield, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 197 and 167 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $295/month cheaper in Fairfield, saving renters about $3,540/year.

Median household income is $17,605/year higher in Santa Clarita. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Clarita is $721,000 compared to $592,500 in Fairfield.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Clarita vs Fairfield — common questions

Is Santa Clarita or Fairfield cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fairfield is cheaper to live in with an index of 167 compared to 197 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Clarita and Fairfield?
Median rent in Santa Clarita is $2,486/month and in Fairfield it's $2,191/month — a difference of $295/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Clarita or Fairfield?
Median household income is $119,926 in Santa Clarita and $102,321 in Fairfield. Median household income is $17,605/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 Fairfield?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Clarita has a cost index of 197 with median rent of $2,486/mo, while Fairfield has a cost index of 167 with rent of $2,191/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Santa Clarita details → View Fairfield details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Santa Clarita and Fairfield

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 Fairfield vs. Berkeley Fairfield vs. Hartford Fairfield vs. Ann Arbor Fairfield vs. West Palm Beach Fairfield vs. Lafayette Fairfield vs. Spring Hill