Santa Clarita CA vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Santa Clarita
229,021
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Santa Clarita
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Santa Clarita
38.1
Virginia Beach
37.4
Virginia Beach +
Foreign Born
Santa Clarita
21.6%
Santa Clarita +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Santa Clarita
53.1%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Santa Clarita
4.4%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Santa Clarita
11.4%
Santa Clarita +
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Hispanic
Santa Clarita
36.0%
Santa Clarita +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Santa Clarita
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,021 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 37.4 | Virginia Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 21.6% | 9.1% | Santa Clarita + |
| White | 53.1% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 4.4% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 7.2% | Santa Clarita + |
| Hispanic | 36.0% | 8.9% | Santa Clarita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Santa Clarita
$119,926
Santa Clarita +
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Per Capita Income
Santa Clarita
$49,571
Santa Clarita +
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Santa Clarita
$77,230
Santa Clarita +
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Santa Clarita
5.3%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Santa Clarita
7.7%
Santa Clarita +
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Santa Clarita
39.3%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $119,926 | $90,685 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,571 | $47,372 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,581 | Santa Clarita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.7% | 8.4% | Santa Clarita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.3% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Santa Clarita
$802,780
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Virginia Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Santa Clarita
72.0%
Santa Clarita +
Virginia Beach
64.9%
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $802,780 | $427,121 | Virginia Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 72.0% | 64.9% | Santa Clarita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Clarita
503
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Clarita
2388
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Clarita
24.7%
Santa Clarita +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Clarita
9.8%
Santa Clarita +
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Santa Clarita
16.0%
Santa Clarita +
Virginia Beach
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Santa Clarita
8.0%
Santa Clarita +
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Santa Clarita
16.9%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Santa Clarita
9.9%
Santa Clarita +
Virginia Beach
12.1%
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.7% | 36.5% | Santa Clarita + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 11.8% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 8.3% | Santa Clarita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 12.1% | Santa Clarita + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Clarita
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Clarita
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Santa Clarita
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Clarita +
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Santa Clarita
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Santa Clarita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Santa Clarita
37.4 min
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 37.4 min | 25.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Clarita leads in median household income at $119,926, while virginia Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,121. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Clarita. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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%.
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