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

Santa Clarita

California
197
VS

Knoxville

Tennessee
74

Santa Clarita is 166% more expensive than Knoxville.

$2,486/mo ↑ 123%
Median Rent
$1,116/mo ↓ 55%
$119,926/yr ↑ 135%
Median Income
$50,994/yr ↓ 57%
$721,000 ↑ 237%
Home Value
$214,000 ↓ 70%
$2,649/mo ↑ 146%
Owner Costs
$1,075/mo ↓ 59%
229,021
Population
193,721

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
7.0%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.64%

Affordability

24.9%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Clarita, CA and Knoxville, TN, the overall cost of living indices are 197 and 74 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,370/month cheaper in Knoxville, saving renters about $16,440/year.

Median household income is $68,932/year higher in Santa Clarita. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Clarita is $721,000 compared to $214,000 in Knoxville.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Clarita vs Knoxville — common questions

Is Santa Clarita or Knoxville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Knoxville is cheaper to live in with an index of 74 compared to 197 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Clarita and Knoxville?
Median rent in Santa Clarita is $2,486/month and in Knoxville it's $1,116/month — a difference of $1,370/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Clarita or Knoxville?
Median household income is $119,926 in Santa Clarita and $50,994 in Knoxville. Median household income is $68,932/year higher in Santa Clarita.
How do taxes compare between California and Tennessee?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax.
Should I move to Santa Clarita or Knoxville?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Clarita has a cost index of 197 with median rent of $2,486/mo, while Knoxville has a cost index of 74 with rent of $1,116/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Santa Clarita details → View Knoxville details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Santa Clarita and Knoxville

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 Knoxville vs. Peoria Knoxville vs. Vancouver Knoxville vs. Huntington Beach Knoxville vs. Glendale Knoxville vs. Overland Park Knoxville vs. Providence