Orem UT 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)
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
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
Orem
86,973
Santa Clarita
229,021
Santa Clarita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Orem
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
Median Age
Orem
33.3
Orem +
Santa Clarita
38.1
Foreign Born
Orem
10.5%
Santa Clarita
21.6%
Santa Clarita +
White
Orem
77.1%
Orem +
Santa Clarita
53.1%
Black
Orem
1.9%
Santa Clarita
4.4%
Santa Clarita +
Asian
Orem
1.6%
Santa Clarita
11.4%
Santa Clarita +
Hispanic
Orem
30.6%
Santa Clarita
36.0%
Santa Clarita +
Spanish at Home
Orem
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Orem, UT | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 86,973 | 229,021 | Santa Clarita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 38.1 | Orem + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 21.6% | Santa Clarita + |
| White | 77.1% | 53.1% | Orem + |
| Black | 1.9% | 4.4% | Santa Clarita + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 11.4% | Santa Clarita + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 36.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Orem
$70,053
Santa Clarita
$119,926
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Income
Orem
$33,579
Santa Clarita
$49,571
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Orem
$60,713
Santa Clarita
$77,230
Santa Clarita +
Unemployment Rate
Orem
4.0%
Orem +
Santa Clarita
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Orem
12.7%
Santa Clarita
7.7%
Santa Clarita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Orem
25.6%
Santa Clarita
39.3%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Orem, UT | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,053 | $119,926 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,579 | $49,571 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $77,230 | Santa Clarita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.0% | 5.3% | Orem + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 7.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.6% | 39.3% | Santa Clarita + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Orem
$509,396
Orem +
Santa Clarita
$802,780
Homeownership Rate
Orem
60.9%
Santa Clarita
72.0%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Orem, UT | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $509,396 | $802,780 | Orem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.9% | 72.0% | Santa Clarita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Orem
245
Orem +
Santa Clarita
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Orem
1931
Orem +
Santa Clarita
2388
| Metric | Orem, UT | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 503 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 2388 | Orem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Orem
30.3%
Santa Clarita
24.7%
Santa Clarita +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Santa Clarita
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Orem
17.1%
Santa Clarita
16.0%
Santa Clarita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Orem
11.5%
Santa Clarita
8.0%
Santa Clarita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Santa Clarita
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
Santa Clarita
9.9%
| Metric | Orem, UT | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 24.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 9.8% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 16.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 8.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 16.9% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 9.9% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Orem
52.5°F
Santa Clarita
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Orem
13.3 in
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Orem, UT | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Santa Clarita
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Orem
75.0%
Santa Clarita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Orem, UT | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Orem
24.5 min
Orem +
Santa Clarita
37.4 min
| Metric | Orem, UT | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 37.4 min | Orem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Clarita leads in median household income at $119,926, while orem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $509,396. On public safety, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Clarita. Orem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Clarita scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.7%.
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