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

Santa Clarita

California
197
VS

Lafayette

Louisiana
77

Santa Clarita is 156% more expensive than Lafayette.

$2,486/mo ↑ 133%
Median Rent
$1,065/mo ↓ 57%
$119,926/yr ↑ 95%
Median Income
$61,454/yr ↓ 49%
$721,000 ↑ 187%
Home Value
$251,300 ↓ 65%
$2,649/mo ↑ 151%
Owner Costs
$1,057/mo ↓ 60%
229,021
Population
121,537

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
4.25%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
4.45%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.55%

Affordability

24.9%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Clarita, CA and Lafayette, LA, the overall cost of living indices are 197 and 77 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,421/month cheaper in Lafayette, saving renters about $17,052/year.

Median household income is $58,472/year higher in Santa Clarita. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Clarita is $721,000 compared to $251,300 in Lafayette.

Louisiana has a lower income tax rate, making Lafayette slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Clarita vs Lafayette — common questions

Is Santa Clarita or Lafayette cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lafayette is cheaper to live in with an index of 77 compared to 197 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Clarita and Lafayette?
Median rent in Santa Clarita is $2,486/month and in Lafayette it's $1,065/month — a difference of $1,421/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Clarita or Lafayette?
Median household income is $119,926 in Santa Clarita and $61,454 in Lafayette. Median household income is $58,472/year higher in Santa Clarita.
How do taxes compare between California and Louisiana?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Louisiana has 4.25% income tax, 4.45% sales tax, and 0.55% property tax.
Should I move to Santa Clarita or Lafayette?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Clarita has a cost index of 197 with median rent of $2,486/mo, while Lafayette has a cost index of 77 with rent of $1,065/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Santa Clarita details → View Lafayette details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Santa Clarita and Lafayette

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 Lafayette vs. Rochester Lafayette vs. Ann Arbor Lafayette vs. Independence Lafayette vs. Berkeley Lafayette vs. College Station Lafayette vs. Fairfield