Elk Grove vs Santa Clarita: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Elk Grove, California compare to Santa Clarita, California? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Elk Grove is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 16% lower in Elk Grove compared to Santa Clarita, while rent is 10% lower.
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Santa Clarita, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $560,500 | $669,200 | -16.2% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,076 | $2,315 | -10.3% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $115,864 | $116,186 | same |
| Per Capita Income | $42,764 | $47,057 | -9.1% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 13.3% | 13.3% | same |
| Combined Sales Tax | 8.7% | 8.7% | same |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 176,105 | 225,850 | -22.0% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Elk Grove
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Santa Clarita
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Elk Grove costs $560,500 compared to $669,200 in Santa Clarita — a 16% discount.
- Rent: Median rent is $2,076/mo in Elk Grove vs $2,315/mo in Santa Clarita.
- Income: Median household income is $115,864 in Elk Grove and $116,186 in Santa Clarita.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).