CostIndexUSA

Detroit, MI vs Santa Clarita, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableMI
Detroit
100.3
overall index
$1,450/mo rent
CA
Santa Clarita
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent

Detroit is moderately cheaper than Santa Clarita — 13.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Detroit, you would need $90,600 in Santa Clarita. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+79.9%
Detroit
94.7
Santa Clarita
170.4
🛒 Groceries+7.9%
Detroit
98.8
Santa Clarita
106.6
🚗 Transportation+1.8%
Detroit
107.7
Santa Clarita
109.6
🏥 Healthcare+1.6%
Detroit
97.5
Santa Clarita
99.1
Utilities+48.2%
Detroit
107
Santa Clarita
158.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Detroit to see what you'd need to earn in Santa Clarita to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Santa Clarita, CA
$90,600
$10,600 more needed in Santa Clarita

Formula: salary × (113.6 ÷ 100.3) = salary × 1.1326. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Detroit, MI

Median Home Price
$254,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,450
Housing Index
94.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.6×

Santa Clarita, CA

Median Home Price
$565,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,550
Housing Index
170.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Santa Clarita has 79.9% higher housing costs compared to Detroit.

Income & Job Market

Detroit, MI

Median Household Income
$72,600
Per Capita Income
$41,400
Unemployment Rate
5%
Population
672,795
Top Industries
AutomotiveHealthcareTechnologyFinanceManufacturing

Santa Clarita, CA

Median Household Income
$92,000
Per Capita Income
$52,400
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
Population
228,673
Top Industries
EntertainmentHealthcareManufacturingRetailFinance

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Detroit, MI
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Santa Clarita, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.