New York NY 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)
New York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
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
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Santa Clarita
229,021
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New York
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
Median Age
New York
38.0
New York +
Santa Clarita
38.1
Foreign Born
New York
36.5%
New York +
Santa Clarita
21.6%
White
New York
35.9%
Santa Clarita
53.1%
Santa Clarita +
Black
New York
22.7%
New York +
Santa Clarita
4.4%
Asian
New York
14.6%
New York +
Santa Clarita
11.4%
Hispanic
New York
28.4%
Santa Clarita
36.0%
Santa Clarita +
Spanish at Home
New York
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | New York, NY | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,516,202 | 229,021 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 38.1 | New York + |
| Foreign Born | 36.5% | 21.6% | New York + |
| White | 35.9% | 53.1% | Santa Clarita + |
| Black | 22.7% | 4.4% | New York + |
| Asian | 14.6% | 11.4% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 28.4% | 36.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New York
$79,713
Santa Clarita
$119,926
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Income
New York
$50,776
New York +
Santa Clarita
$49,571
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New York
$77,425
New York +
Santa Clarita
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
New York
7.7%
Santa Clarita
5.3%
Santa Clarita +
Poverty Rate
New York
17.4%
Santa Clarita
7.7%
Santa Clarita +
Bachelor's Degree+
New York
41.0%
New York +
Santa Clarita
39.3%
| Metric | New York, NY | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,713 | $119,926 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,776 | $49,571 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,230 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 5.3% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 7.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.0% | 39.3% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New York
$816,078
Santa Clarita
$802,780
Santa Clarita +
Homeownership Rate
New York
32.8%
Santa Clarita
72.0%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | New York, NY | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $816,078 | $802,780 | Santa Clarita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 32.8% | 72.0% | Santa Clarita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
434
New York +
Santa Clarita
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
1736
New York +
Santa Clarita
2388
| Metric | New York, NY | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 503 | New York + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2388 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
25.1%
Santa Clarita
24.7%
Santa Clarita +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
11.9%
Santa Clarita
9.8%
Santa Clarita +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New York
15.4%
New York +
Santa Clarita
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New York
10.6%
Santa Clarita
8.0%
Santa Clarita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New York
16.9%
Santa Clarita
16.9%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New York
11.4%
Santa Clarita
9.9%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | New York, NY | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.1% | 24.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.8% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 16.0% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 16.9% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 9.9% | Santa Clarita + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
55.4°F
Santa Clarita
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
46.6 in
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | New York, NY | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New York
8.1 µg/m³
Santa Clarita
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Clarita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New York
75.0%
Santa Clarita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New York, NY | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Clarita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New York
44.2 min
Santa Clarita
37.4 min
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | New York, NY | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 44.2 min | 37.4 min | Santa Clarita + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Clarita leads in median household income at $119,926, while santa Clarita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $802,780. On public safety, New York is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Clarita. Santa Clarita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, 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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