2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Santa Clarita, CA vs Merced, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Merced or is it cheaper to live in Santa Clarita?
- Merced is 32.5% less expensive than Santa Clarita.

Which city has more affordable housing, Merced or Santa Clarita?
- Merced housing costs are 53.0% less expensive than Santa Clarita housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Santa Clarita or is Health Care more affordable in Merced.
- Health related expenses are 32.1% more in Merced.
 Santa Clarita, CAMerced, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock109.1100
 Food & Groceries101.9  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock121.3100
 Housing234.5  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$373,000$338,100
 Utilities106  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock101.1100
 Miscellaneous133.9  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Santa Clarita    56 Reviews

Over 5 years ago

It’s called awesome Town for a reason! Great schools, great People and climate! It’s a treasure!   More

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Wonderful community! Beautiful paseo paths throughout great for bike riding, roller skating, scooters, walks and jogs. Great weather, 30 minutes from the beach, lots  More

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My husband and I moved into our first home in 1989 - just as the Valencia Mall broke ground. I still miss the Bob's Big Boy at the corner of Valencia Blvd. and Magic  More

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Reviews for Merced    44 Reviews

Merced is totally slept on - you want a little bit of everything CA has to offer, at a fraction of the price of other CA cities? Merced is the place to go. The town  More

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Over 5 years ago

Good place to live. More affordable than most of california. The city is growing and there is alot of business and growth here. Moved from the Bay area years ago and  More

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Great place to live. Lots of progress and changes coming to the city. Great place to raise a family. UC Merced is expanding and businesses are investing. Downtown is  More

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