Santa Clarita CA vs Seattle WA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Santa Clarita, CA
California · Population: 229,021
- Median HH Income$119,926
- Median Home Price$802,780
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.3%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Santa Clarita
229,021
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Santa Clarita
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Santa Clarita
38.1
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
Santa Clarita
21.6%
Santa Clarita +
Seattle
19.9%
White
Santa Clarita
53.1%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
Santa Clarita
4.4%
Seattle
6.6%
Seattle +
Asian
Santa Clarita
11.4%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Santa Clarita
36.0%
Santa Clarita +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Santa Clarita
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,021 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 35.5 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 21.6% | 19.9% | Santa Clarita + |
| White | 53.1% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 4.4% | 6.6% | Seattle + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 36.0% | 8.2% | Santa Clarita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Santa Clarita
$119,926
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Santa Clarita
$49,571
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Santa Clarita
$77,230
Santa Clarita +
Seattle
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Santa Clarita
5.3%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Santa Clarita
7.7%
Santa Clarita +
Seattle
9.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Santa Clarita
39.3%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $119,926 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,571 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Santa Clarita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.7% | 9.9% | Santa Clarita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.3% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Santa Clarita
$802,780
Santa Clarita +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Santa Clarita
72.0%
Santa Clarita +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $802,780 | $871,599 | Santa Clarita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 72.0% | 44.3% | Santa Clarita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Clarita
503
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Clarita
2388
Santa Clarita +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Santa Clarita + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Clarita
24.7%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Clarita
9.8%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Santa Clarita
16.0%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Santa Clarita
8.0%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Santa Clarita
16.9%
Santa Clarita +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Santa Clarita
9.9%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.7% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 19.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Clarita
N/A
Seattle
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Clarita
N/A
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 37.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Santa Clarita
7.9 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Santa Clarita
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Santa Clarita
37.4 min
Seattle
28.8 min
Seattle +
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 37.4 min | 28.8 min | Seattle + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while santa Clarita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $802,780. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Clarita. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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