Santa Clarita CA vs Wichita Falls TX — 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%
Wichita Falls, TX
Texas · Population: 102,558
- Median HH Income$58,568
- Median Home Price$174,763
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Santa Clarita
229,021
Santa Clarita +
Wichita Falls
102,558
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Santa Clarita
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
Santa Clarita
38.1
Wichita Falls
33.0
Wichita Falls +
Foreign Born
Santa Clarita
21.6%
Santa Clarita +
Wichita Falls
7.2%
White
Santa Clarita
53.1%
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Wichita Falls +
Black
Santa Clarita
4.4%
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Wichita Falls +
Asian
Santa Clarita
11.4%
Santa Clarita +
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Hispanic
Santa Clarita
36.0%
Santa Clarita +
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Spanish at Home
Santa Clarita
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,021 | 102,558 | Santa Clarita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 33.0 | Wichita Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 21.6% | 7.2% | Santa Clarita + |
| White | 53.1% | 70.1% | Wichita Falls + |
| Black | 4.4% | 12.9% | Wichita Falls + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 2.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Hispanic | 36.0% | 22.4% | Santa Clarita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Santa Clarita
$119,926
Santa Clarita +
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Per Capita Income
Santa Clarita
$49,571
Santa Clarita +
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Santa Clarita
$77,230
Santa Clarita +
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Santa Clarita
5.3%
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Wichita Falls +
Poverty Rate
Santa Clarita
7.7%
Santa Clarita +
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Santa Clarita
39.3%
Santa Clarita +
Wichita Falls
25.0%
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $119,926 | $58,568 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,571 | $31,987 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Santa Clarita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 3.5% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.7% | 17.4% | Santa Clarita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.3% | 25.0% | Santa Clarita + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Santa Clarita
$802,780
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Wichita Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Santa Clarita
72.0%
Santa Clarita +
Wichita Falls
57.0%
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $802,780 | $174,763 | Wichita Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 72.0% | 57.0% | Santa Clarita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Clarita
503
Wichita Falls
442
Wichita Falls +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Clarita
2388
Wichita Falls
2339
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Wichita Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Wichita Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Clarita
24.7%
Santa Clarita +
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Clarita
9.8%
Santa Clarita +
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Santa Clarita
16.0%
Santa Clarita +
Wichita Falls
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Santa Clarita
8.0%
Santa Clarita +
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Santa Clarita
16.9%
Santa Clarita +
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Santa Clarita
9.9%
Santa Clarita +
Wichita Falls
14.9%
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.7% | 35.4% | Santa Clarita + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 12.6% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.8% | Santa Clarita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 16.9% | Santa Clarita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 17.8% | Santa Clarita + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 14.9% | Santa Clarita + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Clarita
N/A
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Clarita
N/A
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 28.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Santa Clarita
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Clarita +
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Santa Clarita
75.0%
Santa Clarita +
Wichita Falls
55.0%
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Santa Clarita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Santa Clarita + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Santa Clarita
37.4 min
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 37.4 min | 15.8 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Clarita leads in median household income at $119,926, while wichita Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $174,763. On public safety, Wichita Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Clarita. Wichita Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, 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%.
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