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

Santa Clarita

California
197
VS

Waterbury

Connecticut
76

Santa Clarita is 159% more expensive than Waterbury.

$2,486/mo ↑ 111%
Median Rent
$1,180/mo ↓ 53%
$119,926/yr ↑ 132%
Median Income
$51,642/yr ↓ 57%
$721,000 ↑ 289%
Home Value
$185,400 ↓ 74%
$2,649/mo ↑ 108%
Owner Costs
$1,273/mo ↓ 52%
229,021
Population
114,356

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
6.99%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.35%
0.71%
Property Tax
2.15%

Affordability

24.9%
rent-to-income
Affordability
27.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Clarita, CA and Waterbury, CT, the overall cost of living indices are 197 and 76 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,306/month cheaper in Waterbury, saving renters about $15,672/year.

Median household income is $68,284/year higher in Santa Clarita. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Clarita is $721,000 compared to $185,400 in Waterbury.

Connecticut has a lower income tax rate, making Waterbury slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Clarita vs Waterbury — common questions

Is Santa Clarita or Waterbury cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Waterbury is cheaper to live in with an index of 76 compared to 197 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Clarita and Waterbury?
Median rent in Santa Clarita is $2,486/month and in Waterbury it's $1,180/month — a difference of $1,306/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Clarita or Waterbury?
Median household income is $119,926 in Santa Clarita and $51,642 in Waterbury. Median household income is $68,284/year higher in Santa Clarita.
How do taxes compare between California and Connecticut?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Connecticut has 6.99% income tax, 6.35% sales tax, and 2.15% property tax.
Should I move to Santa Clarita or Waterbury?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Clarita has a cost index of 197 with median rent of $2,486/mo, while Waterbury has a cost index of 76 with rent of $1,180/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Santa Clarita details → View Waterbury details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Santa Clarita and Waterbury

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 Waterbury vs. Carlsbad Waterbury vs. Provo Waterbury vs. East Los Angeles Waterbury vs. Elgin Waterbury vs. Lowell Waterbury vs. Odessa