Santa Clarita CA vs Tempe AZ — 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Santa Clarita
229,021
Santa Clarita +
Tempe
186,419
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Santa Clarita
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Santa Clarita
38.1
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Santa Clarita
21.6%
Santa Clarita +
Tempe
13.9%
White
Santa Clarita
53.1%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Santa Clarita
4.4%
Tempe
7.8%
Tempe +
Asian
Santa Clarita
11.4%
Santa Clarita +
Tempe
9.5%
Hispanic
Santa Clarita
36.0%
Santa Clarita +
Tempe
23.1%
Spanish at Home
Santa Clarita
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,021 | 186,419 | Santa Clarita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 21.6% | 13.9% | Santa Clarita + |
| White | 53.1% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 4.4% | 7.8% | Tempe + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 9.5% | Santa Clarita + |
| Hispanic | 36.0% | 23.1% | Santa Clarita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Santa Clarita
$119,926
Santa Clarita +
Tempe
$77,643
Per Capita Income
Santa Clarita
$49,571
Santa Clarita +
Tempe
$42,371
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Santa Clarita
$77,230
Santa Clarita +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Santa Clarita
5.3%
Santa Clarita +
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Santa Clarita
7.7%
Santa Clarita +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Santa Clarita
39.3%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $119,926 | $77,643 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,571 | $42,371 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Santa Clarita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.7% | 16.2% | Santa Clarita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.3% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Santa Clarita
$802,780
Tempe
$468,328
Tempe +
Homeownership Rate
Santa Clarita
72.0%
Santa Clarita +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $802,780 | $468,328 | Tempe + |
| Homeownership Rate | 72.0% | 41.6% | Santa Clarita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Clarita
503
Tempe
450
Tempe +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Clarita
2388
Tempe
2150
Tempe +
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Tempe + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Tempe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Clarita
24.7%
Santa Clarita +
Tempe
27.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Clarita
9.8%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Santa Clarita
16.0%
Santa Clarita +
Tempe
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Santa Clarita
8.0%
Santa Clarita +
Tempe
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Santa Clarita
16.9%
Santa Clarita +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Santa Clarita
9.9%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.7% | 27.2% | Santa Clarita + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.6% | Santa Clarita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 10.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 18.3% | Santa Clarita + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Clarita
N/A
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Clarita
N/A
Tempe
9.3 in
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 9.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Santa Clarita
7.9 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Santa Clarita
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Santa Clarita
37.4 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 37.4 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Clarita leads in median household income at $119,926, while tempe offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $468,328. On public safety, Tempe is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Clarita. Santa Clarita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Clarita scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.7%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Santa Clarita, CALos Angeles, CA vs Santa Clarita, CAChicago, IL vs Santa Clarita, CAHouston, TX vs Santa Clarita, CAPhoenix, AZ vs Santa Clarita, CAPhiladelphia, PA vs Santa Clarita, CA