CostIndexUSA

Kalamazoo, MI vs Santa Clarita, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableMI
Kalamazoo
94.8
overall index
$1,350/mo rent
CA
Santa Clarita
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent

Kalamazoo is significantly cheaper than Santa Clarita — 19.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Kalamazoo, you would need $95,900 in Santa Clarita. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+108.8%
Kalamazoo
81.6
Santa Clarita
170.4
🛒 Groceries+13.8%
Kalamazoo
93.7
Santa Clarita
106.6
🚗 Transportation+4.9%
Kalamazoo
104.5
Santa Clarita
109.6
🏥 Healthcare+4.8%
Kalamazoo
94.6
Santa Clarita
99.1
Utilities+59.7%
Kalamazoo
99.3
Santa Clarita
158.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Santa Clarita, CA
$95,900
$15,900 more needed in Santa Clarita

Formula: salary × (113.6 ÷ 94.8) = salary × 1.1983. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Kalamazoo, MI

Median Home Price
$262,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,350
Housing Index
81.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.2×

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 108.8% higher housing costs compared to Kalamazoo.

Income & Job Market

Kalamazoo, MI

Median Household Income
$67,200
Per Capita Income
$38,300
Unemployment Rate
2.9%
Population
72,305
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingPharmaceuticalsFinance

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).

Kalamazoo, MI
4.1×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.