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

Santa Clarita

California
197
VS

Lancaster

California
124

Santa Clarita is 59% more expensive than Lancaster.

$2,486/mo ↑ 47%
Median Rent
$1,696/mo ↓ 32%
$119,926/yr ↑ 58%
Median Income
$76,083/yr ↓ 37%
$721,000 ↑ 76%
Home Value
$409,100 ↓ 43%
$2,649/mo ↑ 52%
Owner Costs
$1,746/mo ↓ 34%
229,021
Population
170,013

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
26.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Clarita, CA and Lancaster, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 197 and 124 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $790/month cheaper in Lancaster, saving renters about $9,480/year.

Median household income is $43,843/year higher in Santa Clarita. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Clarita is $721,000 compared to $409,100 in Lancaster.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Clarita vs Lancaster — common questions

Is Santa Clarita or Lancaster cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lancaster is cheaper to live in with an index of 124 compared to 197 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Clarita and Lancaster?
Median rent in Santa Clarita is $2,486/month and in Lancaster it's $1,696/month — a difference of $790/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Clarita or Lancaster?
Median household income is $119,926 in Santa Clarita and $76,083 in Lancaster. Median household income is $43,843/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 Lancaster?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Clarita has a cost index of 197 with median rent of $2,486/mo, while Lancaster has a cost index of 124 with rent of $1,696/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Santa Clarita details → View Lancaster details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Santa Clarita and Lancaster

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