CostIndexUSA

Reading, PA vs Santa Clarita, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordablePA
Reading
97.1
overall index
$1,400/mo rent
CA
Santa Clarita
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent

Reading is significantly cheaper than Santa Clarita — 17.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Reading, you would need $93,600 in Santa Clarita. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+99.5%
Reading
85.4
Santa Clarita
170.4
🛒 Groceries+5.9%
Reading
100.7
Santa Clarita
106.6
🚗 Transportation+6.8%
Reading
102.6
Santa Clarita
109.6
🏥 Healthcare+6.8%
Reading
92.8
Santa Clarita
99.1
Utilities+46.6%
Reading
108.2
Santa Clarita
158.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Santa Clarita, CA
$93,600
$13,600 more needed in Santa Clarita

Formula: salary × (113.6 ÷ 97.1) = salary × 1.1699. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Reading, PA

Median Home Price
$299,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,400
Housing Index
85.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.8×

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 99.5% higher housing costs compared to Reading.

Income & Job Market

Reading, PA

Median Household Income
$75,700
Per Capita Income
$43,100
Unemployment Rate
5%
Population
95,112
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingRetailEducationLogistics

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).

Reading, PA
4.5×income-to-rent ratio

78% 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.