San Diego CA 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)
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
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
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Santa Clarita
229,021
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Diego
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
Median Age
San Diego
36.0
San Diego +
Santa Clarita
38.1
Foreign Born
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
Santa Clarita
21.6%
White
San Diego
50.4%
Santa Clarita
53.1%
Santa Clarita +
Black
San Diego
5.7%
San Diego +
Santa Clarita
4.4%
Asian
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Santa Clarita
11.4%
Hispanic
San Diego
29.6%
Santa Clarita
36.0%
Santa Clarita +
Spanish at Home
San Diego
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,385,061 | 229,021 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.0 | 38.1 | San Diego + |
| Foreign Born | 24.8% | 21.6% | San Diego + |
| White | 50.4% | 53.1% | Santa Clarita + |
| Black | 5.7% | 4.4% | San Diego + |
| Asian | 17.6% | 11.4% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 36.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Diego
$104,321
Santa Clarita
$119,926
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Income
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Santa Clarita
$49,571
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Diego
$77,230
Santa Clarita
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
San Diego
5.9%
Santa Clarita
5.3%
Santa Clarita +
Poverty Rate
San Diego
11.1%
Santa Clarita
7.7%
Santa Clarita +
Bachelor's Degree+
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
Santa Clarita
39.3%
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,321 | $119,926 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,678 | $49,571 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.3% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.1% | 7.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.9% | 39.3% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Diego
$1,006,261
Santa Clarita
$802,780
Santa Clarita +
Homeownership Rate
San Diego
47.6%
Santa Clarita
72.0%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,006,261 | $802,780 | Santa Clarita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 72.0% | Santa Clarita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Diego
503
Santa Clarita
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Diego
2388
Santa Clarita
2388
Tie
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Santa Clarita
24.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Santa Clarita
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Diego
16.5%
Santa Clarita
16.0%
Santa Clarita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Diego
8.5%
Santa Clarita
8.0%
Santa Clarita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Diego
16.9%
Santa Clarita
16.9%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
Santa Clarita
9.9%
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.2% | 24.7% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 9.8% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 16.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 8.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 16.9% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 9.9% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Diego
61.6°F
Santa Clarita
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Diego
12.3 in
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Clarita
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Diego
75.0%
Santa Clarita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Diego
25.9 min
San Diego +
Santa Clarita
37.4 min
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.9 min | 37.4 min | San Diego + |
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, Santa Clarita is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in San Diego. 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, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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