Austin TX vs Santa Clarita CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
Santa Clarita, CA
California · Population: 229,021
- Median HH Income$119,926
- Median Home Price$802,780
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Santa Clarita
229,021
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Austin +
Santa Clarita
38.1
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Santa Clarita
21.6%
Santa Clarita +
White
Austin
59.9%
Austin +
Santa Clarita
53.1%
Black
Austin
7.5%
Austin +
Santa Clarita
4.4%
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Santa Clarita
11.4%
Santa Clarita +
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Santa Clarita
36.0%
Santa Clarita +
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 229,021 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 38.1 | Austin + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 21.6% | Santa Clarita + |
| White | 59.9% | 53.1% | Austin + |
| Black | 7.5% | 4.4% | Austin + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 11.4% | Santa Clarita + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 36.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Santa Clarita
$119,926
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Santa Clarita
$49,571
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Santa Clarita
$77,230
Santa Clarita +
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
Santa Clarita
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Santa Clarita
7.7%
Santa Clarita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Santa Clarita
39.3%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $119,926 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $49,571 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Santa Clarita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.3% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 7.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 39.3% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Austin +
Santa Clarita
$802,780
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Santa Clarita
72.0%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $802,780 | Austin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 72.0% | Santa Clarita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Austin +
Santa Clarita
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Austin +
Santa Clarita
2388
| Metric | Austin, TX | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Austin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Austin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Santa Clarita
24.7%
Santa Clarita +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Santa Clarita
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Santa Clarita
16.0%
Santa Clarita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Santa Clarita
8.0%
Santa Clarita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Santa Clarita
16.9%
Santa Clarita +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Santa Clarita
9.9%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 24.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 9.8% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 16.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 8.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 16.9% | Santa Clarita + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.9% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Santa Clarita
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Santa Clarita
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Clarita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Santa Clarita
75.0%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Clarita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Clarita + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Austin
25.8 min
Austin +
Santa Clarita
37.4 min
| Metric | Austin, TX | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 37.4 min | Austin + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Clarita leads in median household income at $119,926, while austin offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $511,264. On public safety, Austin is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Clarita. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Santa Clarita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Clarita scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.7%.
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