55
Overall Score /100
Wins 2 of 7 categories
63
Overall Score /100
Wins 2 of 7 categories
It's a tie 2–2
based on 7 categories of official U.S. government data
Tacoma wins 2–2 overall (63/100)
💰 Tacoma is more affordable
💼 Tacoma has lower unemployment
🛡️ Tacoma has fewer disasters
📋 Santa Clarita vs Tacoma — The Verdict
It's a close call — Santa Clarita (55.2/100) and Tacoma (63.8/100) each win 2 categories. On affordability, Tacoma has a clear edge with home prices 38% lower. For safety-conscious movers, Tacoma has a notably lower disaster history with 45 fewer declarations in 20 years. Tacoma may be the better fit for budget-conscious movers.
💡 Key Differences
🏠
Home prices in Tacoma are 38% lower — a difference of $253,900 in median home value.
💰
Renting in Tacoma saves you $826/month — that's $9,912 per year.
💵
Households in Santa Clarita earn $37,101 more per year (47% higher median income).
📊
Tacoma has a 0.8 percentage point lower unemployment rate, suggesting a stronger job market.
🌬️
Santa Clarita has cleaner air with an AQI 12 points lower — particularly important for people with respiratory conditions.
🛡️
Tacoma has experienced 45 fewer federally declared disasters in the last 20 years, indicating lower overall natural disaster risk.
Median Home Value
$669,200
$415,300
Median Rent /mo
$2,315
$1,489
Median Income
$116,186
$79,085
The affordability gap is significant — Tacoma offers home prices 38% lower than Santa Clarita, translating to $253,900 in savings on a median-priced home. This difference alone could determine which city makes financial sense for your situation.
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
4.7%
Both cities offer competitive employment, with Tacoma having a slight edge at 4.7% unemployment. Industry fit may matter more than the overall rate.
Air Quality (AQI)
6 Good
18 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)
54
9
Tacoma has a markedly lower disaster history — 45 fewer federal declarations over 20 years. This can translate to lower insurance premiums and less disruption to daily life.
❓ Moving from Santa Clarita to Tacoma: Common Questions
Is Santa Clarita or Tacoma cheaper to live in?
Tacoma is more affordable overall. Home prices are $253,900 lower in Tacoma. Monthly rent is $1,489 in Tacoma vs $2,315 in Santa Clarita.
Does Santa Clarita or Tacoma have better weather?
Tacoma scores higher on climate (50/100 vs 50/100).
Is Santa Clarita or Tacoma better for finding a job?
Tacoma currently has a stronger job market. Unemployment is 5.5% in Santa Clarita vs 4.7% in Tacoma. Median household income is $116,186 in Santa Clarita and $79,085 in Tacoma.
Which city is safer — Santa Clarita or Tacoma?
In terms of natural disaster risk, Tacoma is safer. Santa Clarita has had 54 federal disaster declarations in 20 years vs 9 in Tacoma. Santa Clarita scores 95/100 on safety vs 95/100 for Tacoma.
Should I move from Santa Clarita to Tacoma?
Based on our data, Tacoma scores 63.8/100 vs Santa Clarita's 55.2/100 overall. The best choice depends on your priorities — Tacoma is more affordable, while Tacoma has a better climate.
Planning to move from Santa Clarita to Tacoma?
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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 6, 2026.