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

Santa Clarita

California
197
VS

Midland

Texas
99

Santa Clarita is 99% more expensive than Midland.

$2,486/mo ↑ 77%
Median Rent
$1,407/mo ↓ 43%
$119,926/yr ↑ 32%
Median Income
$91,169/yr ↓ 24%
$721,000 ↑ 141%
Home Value
$298,600 ↓ 59%
$2,649/mo ↑ 80%
Owner Costs
$1,468/mo ↓ 45%
229,021
Population
133,998

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
18.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Clarita, CA and Midland, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 197 and 99 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,079/month cheaper in Midland, saving renters about $12,948/year.

Median household income is $28,757/year higher in Santa Clarita. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Clarita is $721,000 compared to $298,600 in Midland.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Clarita vs Midland — common questions

Is Santa Clarita or Midland cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Midland is cheaper to live in with an index of 99 compared to 197 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Clarita and Midland?
Median rent in Santa Clarita is $2,486/month and in Midland it's $1,407/month — a difference of $1,079/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Clarita or Midland?
Median household income is $119,926 in Santa Clarita and $91,169 in Midland. Median household income is $28,757/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 Midland?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Clarita has a cost index of 197 with median rent of $2,486/mo, while Midland has a cost index of 99 with rent of $1,407/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Santa Clarita details → View Midland details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Santa Clarita and Midland

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