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

Santa Clarita

California
197
VS

Waco

Texas
72

Santa Clarita is 174% more expensive than Waco.

$2,486/mo ↑ 126%
Median Rent
$1,098/mo ↓ 56%
$119,926/yr ↑ 133%
Median Income
$51,468/yr ↓ 57%
$721,000 ↑ 261%
Home Value
$199,600 ↓ 72%
$2,649/mo ↑ 142%
Owner Costs
$1,094/mo ↓ 59%
229,021
Population
141,925

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
25.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Clarita, CA and Waco, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 197 and 72 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,388/month cheaper in Waco, saving renters about $16,656/year.

Median household income is $68,458/year higher in Santa Clarita. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Clarita is $721,000 compared to $199,600 in Waco.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Clarita vs Waco — common questions

Is Santa Clarita or Waco cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Waco is cheaper to live in with an index of 72 compared to 197 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Clarita and Waco?
Median rent in Santa Clarita is $2,486/month and in Waco it's $1,098/month — a difference of $1,388/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Clarita or Waco?
Median household income is $119,926 in Santa Clarita and $51,468 in Waco. Median household income is $68,458/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 Waco?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Clarita has a cost index of 197 with median rent of $2,486/mo, while Waco has a cost index of 72 with rent of $1,098/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Santa Clarita details → View Waco details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Santa Clarita and Waco

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 Waco vs. Visalia Waco vs. Fullerton Waco vs. Thornton Waco vs. Metairie Waco vs. Torrance Waco vs. Orange