Anaheim CA vs Santa Clarita CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026

Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)

Anaheim, CA

California · Population: 344,553

  • Median HH Income$90,583
  • Median Home Price$952,227
  • Unemployment5.5%
  • Bachelor's+28.7%

Santa Clarita, CA

California · Population: 229,021

  • Median HH Income$119,926
  • Median Home Price$802,780
  • Unemployment5.3%
  • Bachelor's+39.3%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Anaheim
344,553
Anaheim +
Santa Clarita
229,021
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anaheim
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
Median Age
Anaheim
35.9
Anaheim +
Santa Clarita
38.1
Foreign Born
Anaheim
35.2%
Anaheim +
Santa Clarita
21.6%
White
Anaheim
41.2%
Santa Clarita
53.1%
Santa Clarita +
Black
Anaheim
2.5%
Santa Clarita
4.4%
Santa Clarita +
Asian
Anaheim
18.6%
Anaheim +
Santa Clarita
11.4%
Hispanic
Anaheim
52.5%
Anaheim +
Santa Clarita
36.0%
Spanish at Home
Anaheim
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Anaheim
$90,583
Santa Clarita
$119,926
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Income
Anaheim
$36,541
Santa Clarita
$49,571
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anaheim
$77,230
Santa Clarita
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Anaheim
5.5%
Santa Clarita
5.3%
Santa Clarita +
Poverty Rate
Anaheim
12.5%
Santa Clarita
7.7%
Santa Clarita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Anaheim
28.7%
Santa Clarita
39.3%
Santa Clarita +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anaheim
$952,227
Santa Clarita
$802,780
Santa Clarita +
Homeownership Rate
Anaheim
45.9%
Santa Clarita
72.0%
Santa Clarita +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anaheim
503
Santa Clarita
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anaheim
2388
Santa Clarita
2388
Tie

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
26.8%
Santa Clarita
24.7%
Santa Clarita +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
12.2%
Santa Clarita
9.8%
Santa Clarita +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anaheim
18.0%
Santa Clarita
16.0%
Santa Clarita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
14.7%
Santa Clarita
8.0%
Santa Clarita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
15.4%
Anaheim +
Santa Clarita
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
11.0%
Santa Clarita
9.9%
Santa Clarita +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anaheim
67.1°F
Santa Clarita
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anaheim
13.4 in
Santa Clarita
N/A

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anaheim
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Clarita
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anaheim
75.0%
Santa Clarita
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anaheim
30.6 min
Anaheim +
Santa Clarita
37.4 min

Which City is Right for You?

Santa Clarita leads in median household income at $119,926, while santa Clarita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $802,780. On public safety, Santa Clarita is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Anaheim. Santa Clarita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Santa Clarita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Clarita scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.7%.

Compare More Cities

About Anaheim & Santa Clarita