CostIndexUSA

Rochester, MN vs Santa Clarita, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableMN
Rochester
90.8
overall index
$1,625/mo rent
CA
Santa Clarita
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent

Rochester is significantly cheaper than Santa Clarita — 25.1% lower overall cost of living.

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

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+116.8%
Rochester
78.6
Santa Clarita
170.4
🛒 Groceries+11.7%
Rochester
95.4
Santa Clarita
106.6
🚗 Transportation+13.2%
Rochester
96.8
Santa Clarita
109.6
🏥 Healthcare+13.1%
Rochester
87.6
Santa Clarita
99.1
Utilities+81.5%
Rochester
87.4
Santa Clarita
158.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

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

Formula: salary × (113.6 ÷ 90.8) = salary × 1.2511. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Rochester, MN

Median Home Price
$324,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,625
Housing Index
78.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.6×

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 116.8% higher housing costs compared to Rochester.

Income & Job Market

Rochester, MN

Median Household Income
$85,200
Per Capita Income
$48,600
Unemployment Rate
2.8%
Population
121,395
Top Industries
HealthcareTechnologyEducationManufacturingFinance

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).

Rochester, MN
4.4×income-to-rent ratio

77% 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.