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

Santa Clarita

California
197
VS

Santa Rosa

California
172

Santa Clarita is 15% more expensive than Santa Rosa.

$2,486/mo ↑ 19%
Median Rent
$2,084/mo ↓ 16%
$119,926/yr ↑ 23%
Median Income
$97,410/yr ↓ 19%
$721,000 ↑ 5%
Home Value
$685,000 ↓ 5%
$2,649/mo ↑ 24%
Owner Costs
$2,130/mo ↓ 20%
229,021
Population
177,216

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
25.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Clarita, CA and Santa Rosa, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 197 and 172 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $402/month cheaper in Santa Rosa, saving renters about $4,824/year.

Median household income is $22,516/year higher in Santa Clarita. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Clarita is $721,000 compared to $685,000 in Santa Rosa.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Clarita vs Santa Rosa — common questions

Is Santa Clarita or Santa Rosa cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Santa Rosa is cheaper to live in with an index of 172 compared to 197 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Clarita and Santa Rosa?
Median rent in Santa Clarita is $2,486/month and in Santa Rosa it's $2,084/month — a difference of $402/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Clarita or Santa Rosa?
Median household income is $119,926 in Santa Clarita and $97,410 in Santa Rosa. Median household income is $22,516/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 Santa Rosa?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Clarita has a cost index of 197 with median rent of $2,486/mo, while Santa Rosa has a cost index of 172 with rent of $2,084/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Santa Clarita details → View Santa Rosa details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Santa Clarita and Santa Rosa

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 Santa Rosa vs. Elk Grove Santa Rosa vs. Cary Santa Rosa vs. Eugene Santa Rosa vs. Salem Santa Rosa vs. Ontario Santa Rosa vs. Rancho Cucamonga