CostIndexUSA

Santa Clarita, CA vs Tempe, AZ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Santa Clarita
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent
More AffordableAZ
Tempe
103.3
overall index
$1,725/mo rent

Tempe is moderately cheaper than Santa Clarita — 9.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Santa Clarita, you would need $72,700 in Tempe. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing28.9%
Santa Clarita
170.4
Tempe
121.2
🛒 Groceries10.9%
Santa Clarita
106.6
Tempe
95
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Santa Clarita
109.6
Tempe
109.2
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Santa Clarita
99.1
Tempe
98.8
Utilities41.2%
Santa Clarita
158.6
Tempe
93.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Tempe, AZ
$72,700
$7,300 less needed in Tempe

Formula: salary × (103.3 ÷ 113.6) = salary × 0.9093. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Santa Clarita, CA

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

Tempe, AZ

Median Home Price
$442,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,725
Housing Index
121.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.4×

Santa Clarita has 28.9% lower housing costs compared to Tempe.

Income & Job Market

Santa Clarita, CA

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

Tempe, AZ

Median Household Income
$85,700
Per Capita Income
$48,800
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
185,038
Top Industries
TechnologyEducationHealthcareRetailFinance

Affordability at a Glance

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

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

67% of income left after rent (median)

Tempe, AZ
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.