71
Overall Score /100
Wins 2 of 7 categories
55
Overall Score /100
Wins 2 of 7 categories
It's a tie 2–2
based on 7 categories of official U.S. government data
Houston wins 2–2 overall (71/100)
💰 Houston is more affordable
💼 Houston has lower unemployment
🛡️ Houston has fewer disasters
📋 Houston vs Santa Clarita — The Verdict
It's a close call — Houston (71.2/100) and Santa Clarita (55.2/100) each win 2 categories. On affordability, Houston has a clear edge with home prices 65% lower. Houston has a significantly tighter job market with unemployment at 4.3%. For safety-conscious movers, Houston has a notably lower disaster history with 33 fewer declarations in 20 years. Houston may be the better fit for budget-conscious movers.
💡 Key Differences
🏠
Home prices in Houston are 65% lower — a difference of $434,200 in median home value.
💰
Renting in Houston saves you $1,080/month — that's $12,960 per year.
💵
Households in Santa Clarita earn $55,746 more per year (92% higher median income).
📊
Houston has a 1.2 percentage point lower unemployment rate, suggesting a stronger job market.
🛡️
Houston has experienced 33 fewer federally declared disasters in the last 20 years, indicating lower overall natural disaster risk.
Median Home Value
$235,000
$669,200
Median Rent /mo
$1,235
$2,315
Median Income
$60,440
$116,186
The affordability gap is significant — Houston offers home prices 65% lower than Santa Clarita, translating to $434,200 in savings on a median-priced home. This difference alone could determine which city makes financial sense for your situation.
Unemployment Rate
4.3%
5.5%
Both cities offer competitive employment, with Houston having a slight edge at 4.3% unemployment. Industry fit may matter more than the overall rate.
Air Quality (AQI)
12
6 Good
Toxic Facilities (TRI)
0
0
Environmental conditions are broadly similar between the two cities based on current EPA monitoring data.
Max Internet Speed
N/A Mbps
N/A Mbps
Fiber Available
❌ No
❌ No
Solar Potential (kWh/m²/day)
Internet and utility infrastructure data helps assess remote work viability and monthly overhead costs in each city.
Disasters (20 years)
21
54
Houston has a markedly lower disaster history — 33 fewer federal declarations over 20 years. This can translate to lower insurance premiums and less disruption to daily life.
❓ Moving from Houston to Santa Clarita: Common Questions
Is Houston or Santa Clarita cheaper to live in?
Houston is more affordable overall. Home prices are $434,200 lower in Houston. Monthly rent is $1,235 in Houston vs $2,315 in Santa Clarita.
Does Houston or Santa Clarita have better weather?
Santa Clarita scores higher on climate (50/100 vs 50/100).
Is Houston or Santa Clarita better for finding a job?
Houston currently has a stronger job market. Unemployment is 4.3% in Houston vs 5.5% in Santa Clarita. Median household income is $60,440 in Houston and $116,186 in Santa Clarita.
Which city is safer — Houston or Santa Clarita?
In terms of natural disaster risk, Houston is safer. Houston has had 21 federal disaster declarations in 20 years vs 54 in Santa Clarita. Houston scores 95/100 on safety vs 95/100 for Santa Clarita.
Should I move from Houston to Santa Clarita?
Based on our data, Houston scores 71.2/100 vs Santa Clarita's 55.2/100 overall. The best choice depends on your priorities — Houston is more affordable, while Santa Clarita has a better climate.
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📊 Data: U.S. Census Bureau (ACS), Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), NOAA Climate Normals,
EPA AirNow & TRI, NREL PVWatts, FEMA Disaster Declarations, FCC Broadband Data.
Last updated: April 4, 2026.