CostIndexUSA

Fargo, ND vs Santa Clarita, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableND
Fargo
90.9
overall index
$1,100/mo rent
CA
Santa Clarita
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent

Fargo is significantly cheaper than Santa Clarita — 25.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Fargo, you would need $100,000 in Santa Clarita. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+110.1%
Fargo
81.1
Santa Clarita
170.4
🛒 Groceries+11.4%
Fargo
95.7
Santa Clarita
106.6
🚗 Transportation+14.3%
Fargo
95.9
Santa Clarita
109.6
🏥 Healthcare+14.2%
Fargo
86.8
Santa Clarita
99.1
Utilities+105.2%
Fargo
77.3
Santa Clarita
158.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Fargo to see what you'd need to earn in Santa Clarita to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Santa Clarita, CA
$100,000
$20,000 more needed in Santa Clarita

Formula: salary × (113.6 ÷ 90.9) = salary × 1.2497. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Fargo, ND

Median Home Price
$313,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,100
Housing Index
81.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
23.7×

Santa Clarita, CA

Median Home Price
$565,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,550
Housing Index
170.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Santa Clarita has 110.1% higher housing costs compared to Fargo.

Income & Job Market

Fargo, ND

Median Household Income
$72,900
Per Capita Income
$41,600
Unemployment Rate
3.7%
Population
125,990
Top Industries
HealthcareFinanceEducationTechnologyRetail

Santa Clarita, CA

Median Household Income
$92,000
Per Capita Income
$52,400
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
Population
228,673
Top Industries
EntertainmentHealthcareManufacturingRetailFinance

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Fargo, ND
5.5×income-to-rent ratio

82% of income left after rent (median)

Santa Clarita, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.