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

Santa Clarita

California
197
VS

Fort Collins

Colorado
137

Santa Clarita is 44% more expensive than Fort Collins.

$2,486/mo ↑ 50%
Median Rent
$1,661/mo ↓ 33%
$119,926/yr ↑ 43%
Median Income
$83,598/yr ↓ 30%
$721,000 ↑ 31%
Home Value
$548,400 ↓ 24%
$2,649/mo ↑ 57%
Owner Costs
$1,692/mo ↓ 36%
229,021
Population
169,705

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
23.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Clarita, CA and Fort Collins, CO, the overall cost of living indices are 197 and 137 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $825/month cheaper in Fort Collins, saving renters about $9,900/year.

Median household income is $36,328/year higher in Santa Clarita. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Clarita is $721,000 compared to $548,400 in Fort Collins.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Clarita vs Fort Collins — common questions

Is Santa Clarita or Fort Collins cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fort Collins is cheaper to live in with an index of 137 compared to 197 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Clarita and Fort Collins?
Median rent in Santa Clarita is $2,486/month and in Fort Collins it's $1,661/month — a difference of $825/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Clarita or Fort Collins?
Median household income is $119,926 in Santa Clarita and $83,598 in Fort Collins. Median household income is $36,328/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 Fort Collins?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Clarita has a cost index of 197 with median rent of $2,486/mo, while Fort Collins has a cost index of 137 with rent of $1,661/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Santa Clarita details → View Fort Collins details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Santa Clarita and Fort Collins

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 Fort Collins vs. Lancaster Fort Collins vs. Springfield Fort Collins vs. Pembroke Pines Fort Collins vs. Palmdale Fort Collins vs. Garden Grove Fort Collins vs. Salinas