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

Santa Clarita

California
197
VS

Springfield

Illinois
61

Santa Clarita is 223% more expensive than Springfield.

$2,486/mo ↑ 163%
Median Rent
$945/mo ↓ 62%
$119,926/yr ↑ 83%
Median Income
$65,537/yr ↓ 45%
$721,000 ↑ 365%
Home Value
$155,200 ↓ 78%
$2,649/mo ↑ 172%
Owner Costs
$974/mo ↓ 63%
229,021
Population
113,714

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
4.95%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
2.07%

Affordability

24.9%
rent-to-income
Affordability
17.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Clarita, CA and Springfield, IL, the overall cost of living indices are 197 and 61 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,541/month cheaper in Springfield, saving renters about $18,492/year.

Median household income is $54,389/year higher in Santa Clarita. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Clarita is $721,000 compared to $155,200 in Springfield.

Illinois has a lower income tax rate, making Springfield slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Clarita vs Springfield — common questions

Is Santa Clarita or Springfield cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Springfield is cheaper to live in with an index of 61 compared to 197 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Clarita and Springfield?
Median rent in Santa Clarita is $2,486/month and in Springfield it's $945/month — a difference of $1,541/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Clarita or Springfield?
Median household income is $119,926 in Santa Clarita and $65,537 in Springfield. Median household income is $54,389/year higher in Santa Clarita.
How do taxes compare between California and Illinois?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Illinois has 4.95% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 2.07% property tax.
Should I move to Santa Clarita or Springfield?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Clarita has a cost index of 197 with median rent of $2,486/mo, while Springfield has a cost index of 61 with rent of $945/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Santa Clarita details → View Springfield details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Santa Clarita and Springfield

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 Springfield vs. Odessa Springfield vs. Beaumont Springfield vs. Elgin Springfield vs. Gresham Springfield vs. Provo Springfield vs. Las Cruces