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

Santa Clarita

California
197
VS

McKinney

Texas
138

Santa Clarita is 43% more expensive than McKinney.

$2,486/mo ↑ 35%
Median Rent
$1,841/mo ↓ 26%
$119,926/yr ≈ Same
Median Income
$120,273/yr ≈ Same
$721,000 ↑ 64%
Home Value
$439,500 ↓ 39%
$2,649/mo ↑ 26%
Owner Costs
$2,101/mo ↓ 21%
229,021
Population
202,314

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
18.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Clarita, CA and McKinney, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 197 and 138 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $645/month cheaper in McKinney, saving renters about $7,740/year.

Median household income is $347/year higher in McKinney. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Clarita is $721,000 compared to $439,500 in McKinney.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Clarita vs McKinney — common questions

Is Santa Clarita or McKinney cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, McKinney is cheaper to live in with an index of 138 compared to 197 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Clarita and McKinney?
Median rent in Santa Clarita is $2,486/month and in McKinney it's $1,841/month — a difference of $645/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Clarita or McKinney?
Median household income is $119,926 in Santa Clarita and $120,273 in McKinney. Median household income is $347/year higher in McKinney.
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 McKinney?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Clarita has a cost index of 197 with median rent of $2,486/mo, while McKinney has a cost index of 138 with rent of $1,841/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Santa Clarita details → View McKinney details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Santa Clarita and McKinney

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 McKinney vs. Little Rock McKinney vs. Augusta McKinney vs. Salt Lake City McKinney vs. Oxnard McKinney vs. Columbus McKinney vs. Amarillo