Albany NY vs Santa Ana CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, NY
New York · Population: 100,081
- Median HH Income$59,485
- Median Home Price$324,670
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+44.9%
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Albany +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Albany
53.0%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Santa Ana
16.4%
Santa Ana +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 91,535 | Albany + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 42.9 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 53.0% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 26.6% | 4.9% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 16.4% | Santa Ana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Santa Ana
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Santa Ana
6.1%
Santa Ana +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,230 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 6.1% | Santa Ana + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Albany +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $865,610 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 28.8% | Albany + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Albany +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Santa Ana
2388
| Metric | Albany, NY | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 503 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2388 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Santa Ana
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Albany +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Santa Ana
15.7%
Santa Ana +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 13.0% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.7% | Albany + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 20.7% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 15.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 65.6°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 13.6 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Ana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Santa Ana
28.0 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 28.0 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,670. On public safety, Albany is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Ana. Santa Ana has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Santa Ana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Ana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
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