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

Santa Clarita

California
197
VS

Paterson

New Jersey
106

Santa Clarita is 86% more expensive than Paterson.

$2,486/mo ↑ 71%
Median Rent
$1,457/mo ↓ 41%
$119,926/yr ↑ 123%
Median Income
$53,766/yr ↓ 55%
$721,000 ↑ 115%
Home Value
$335,400 ↓ 53%
$2,649/mo ↑ 71%
Owner Costs
$1,553/mo ↓ 41%
229,021
Population
157,660

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
10.75%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.625%
0.71%
Property Tax
2.23%

Affordability

24.9%
rent-to-income
Affordability
32.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Clarita, CA and Paterson, NJ, the overall cost of living indices are 197 and 106 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,029/month cheaper in Paterson, saving renters about $12,348/year.

Median household income is $66,160/year higher in Santa Clarita. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Clarita is $721,000 compared to $335,400 in Paterson.

New Jersey has a lower income tax rate, making Paterson slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Clarita vs Paterson — common questions

Is Santa Clarita or Paterson cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Paterson is cheaper to live in with an index of 106 compared to 197 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Clarita and Paterson?
Median rent in Santa Clarita is $2,486/month and in Paterson it's $1,457/month — a difference of $1,029/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Clarita or Paterson?
Median household income is $119,926 in Santa Clarita and $53,766 in Paterson. Median household income is $66,160/year higher in Santa Clarita.
How do taxes compare between California and New Jersey?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. New Jersey has 10.75% income tax, 6.625% sales tax, and 2.23% property tax.
Should I move to Santa Clarita or Paterson?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Clarita has a cost index of 197 with median rent of $2,486/mo, while Paterson has a cost index of 106 with rent of $1,457/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Santa Clarita details → View Paterson details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Santa Clarita and Paterson

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 Paterson vs. Corona Paterson vs. Murfreesboro Paterson vs. Hayward Paterson vs. Alexandria Paterson vs. Salinas Paterson vs. Macon