Cost of Living Comparison Between Issaquah, WA and Santa Clarita, CA Cost of Living Comparison Between Issaquah, WA and Santa Clarita, CA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,165 per month in Issaquah, WA vs $3,639 in Santa Clarita, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,495 per month in Issaquah, WA vs $4,989 in Santa Clarita, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,825 per month in Issaquah, WA vs $6,339 in Santa Clarita, CA, rent included.

Issaquah, WA is about 13% cheaper than Santa Clarita, CA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Issaquah, WA and Santa Clarita, CA sit above the global median – Issaquah, WA by 130%, Santa Clarita, CA by 165%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$24.67 $24.67

$20.33 $20.33

21.35%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$79.0 $79.0

$101 $101

-21.92%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.55 $11.55

$14.98 $14.98

-22.90%

Cappuccino

$4.97 $4.97

$6.51 $6.51

-23.66%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.18 $3.18

$3.33 $3.33

-4.50%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.04 $2.04

$2.82 $2.82

-27.66%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.97 $6.97

$8.08 $8.08

-13.74%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.67 $7.67

$9.08 $9.08

-15.53%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.45 $1.45

$1.13 $1.13

28.32%

White Bread (500g)

$4.79 $4.79

$3.86 $3.86

24.09%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.84 $5.84

$4.92 $4.92

18.70%

Eggs

$5.56 $5.56

$4.76 $4.76

16.81%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.94 $15.94

$17.51 $17.51

-8.97%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.61 $15.61

$8.06 $8.06

93.67%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$17.77 $17.77

$16.93 $16.93

4.96%

Apples (1kg)

$5.84 $5.84

$4.63 $4.63

26.13%

Banana (1kg)

$2.18 $2.18

$1.86 $1.86

17.20%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.12 $4.12

$3.02 $3.02

36.42%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.65 $4.65

$2.98 $2.98

56.04%

Potato (1kg)

$2.23 $2.23

$3.34 $3.34

-33.23%

Onion (1kg)

$2.49 $2.49

$2.59 $2.59

-3.86%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.05 $2.05

$2.08 $2.08

-1.44%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.07 $3.07

$2.23 $2.23

37.67%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.88 $11.88

Wine (Bottle)

$20.12 $20.12

$16.44 $16.44

22.38%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.70 $1.70

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.83 $4.83

$3.09 $3.09

56.31%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.69 $2.69

$2.44 $2.44

10.25%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$27.07 $27.07

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.91 $2.91

-9.97%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.69 $1.69

$2.03 $2.03

-16.75%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$30.55 $30.55

$27.53 $27.53

10.97%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.32 $1.32

$1.23 $1.23

7.32%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$37.1K $37.1K

$23.5K $23.5K

57.71%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$25.3K $25.3K

$26.1K $26.1K

-2.91%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$230 $230

$255 $255

-10.04%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$63.5 $63.5

$56.2 $56.2

12.93%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$82.5 $82.5

$82.1 $82.1

0.57%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$36.45 $36.45

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$24.53 $24.53

Cinema Ticket

$16.83 $16.83

$17.34 $17.34

-2.94%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$2,089 $2,089

$1,929 $1,929

8.32%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$32.6K $32.6K

$36.6K $36.6K

-10.89%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$60.6 $60.6

$68.7 $68.7

-11.85%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$43.76 $43.76

$27.90 $27.90

56.85%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$83.1 $83.1

$73.9 $73.9

12.56%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$130 $130

$110 $110

18.12%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,059 $2,059

$2,877 $2,877

-28.45%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,705 $1,705

$2,293 $2,293

-25.66%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,242 $3,242

$3,947 $3,947

-17.85%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,750 $2,750

$3,154 $3,154

-12.81%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,221 $4,221

$3,685 $3,685

14.53%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$4,379 $4,379

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,507 $6,507

$5,095 $5,095

27.72%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.1

6.13

-0.49%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Issaquah, WA: August 30, 2026

Last update for Santa Clarita, CA: August 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,059 in Issaquah, WA versus $2,877 in Santa Clarita, CA. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 28% higher in Issaquah, WA, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $79.0 in Issaquah, WA versus $101 in Santa Clarita, CA. Groceries tell a different story – $484 in Issaquah, WA vs $391 in Santa Clarita, CA – so Santa Clarita, CA wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Issaquah, WA vs Santa Clarita, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – Santa Clarita, CA is pricier by about 15%, and the gap shows up most in Groceries & Markets. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,748 per month in Issaquah, WA and $5,459 in Santa Clarita, CA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Issaquah, WA, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $3,165 in Issaquah, WA and $3,639 in Santa Clarita, CA. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Kindergarten costs $2,089 per month in Issaquah, WA and $1,929 in Santa Clarita, CA. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,165 in Issaquah, WA and $3,639 in Santa Clarita, CA. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

Families tend to lean toward Issaquah, WA – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

If budget matters most, go with Issaquah, WA. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Santa Clarita, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.