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

Santa Clarita

California
197
VS

McAllen

Texas
66

Santa Clarita is 198% more expensive than McAllen.

$2,486/mo ↑ 144%
Median Rent
$1,017/mo ↓ 59%
$119,926/yr ↑ 99%
Median Income
$60,165/yr ↓ 50%
$721,000 ↑ 315%
Home Value
$173,800 ↓ 76%
$2,649/mo ↑ 166%
Owner Costs
$996/mo ↓ 62%
229,021
Population
143,789

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

24.9%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Clarita, CA and McAllen, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 197 and 66 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,469/month cheaper in McAllen, saving renters about $17,628/year.

Median household income is $59,761/year higher in Santa Clarita. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Clarita is $721,000 compared to $173,800 in McAllen.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Clarita vs McAllen — common questions

Is Santa Clarita or McAllen cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, McAllen is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 197 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Clarita and McAllen?
Median rent in Santa Clarita is $2,486/month and in McAllen it's $1,017/month — a difference of $1,469/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Clarita or McAllen?
Median household income is $119,926 in Santa Clarita and $60,165 in McAllen. Median household income is $59,761/year higher in Santa Clarita.
How do taxes compare between California and Texas?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Santa Clarita or McAllen?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Clarita has a cost index of 197 with median rent of $2,486/mo, while McAllen has a cost index of 66 with rent of $1,017/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Santa Clarita details → View McAllen details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Santa Clarita and McAllen

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 McAllen vs. Syracuse McAllen vs. Olathe McAllen vs. Denton McAllen vs. Gainesville McAllen vs. Savannah McAllen vs. Torrance