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

Santa Clarita

California
197
VS

Lakeland

Florida
82

Santa Clarita is 140% more expensive than Lakeland.

$2,486/mo ↑ 91%
Median Rent
$1,299/mo ↓ 48%
$119,926/yr ↑ 97%
Median Income
$60,947/yr ↓ 49%
$721,000 ↑ 215%
Home Value
$229,100 ↓ 68%
$2,649/mo ↑ 131%
Owner Costs
$1,149/mo ↓ 57%
229,021
Population
117,030

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
25.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Clarita, CA and Lakeland, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 197 and 82 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,187/month cheaper in Lakeland, saving renters about $14,244/year.

Median household income is $58,979/year higher in Santa Clarita. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Clarita is $721,000 compared to $229,100 in Lakeland.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Clarita vs Lakeland — common questions

Is Santa Clarita or Lakeland cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lakeland is cheaper to live in with an index of 82 compared to 197 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Clarita and Lakeland?
Median rent in Santa Clarita is $2,486/month and in Lakeland it's $1,299/month — a difference of $1,187/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Clarita or Lakeland?
Median household income is $119,926 in Santa Clarita and $60,947 in Lakeland. Median household income is $58,979/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 Lakeland?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Clarita has a cost index of 197 with median rent of $2,486/mo, while Lakeland has a cost index of 82 with rent of $1,299/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Santa Clarita details → View Lakeland details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Santa Clarita and Lakeland

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