Athens GA 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)
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
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
Athens
126,987
Athens +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Athens
57.6%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Santa Ana
16.4%
Santa Ana +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 91,535 | Athens + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 42.9 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 57.6% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 26.2% | 4.9% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 16.4% | Santa Ana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 6.1% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Athens +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $865,610 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 28.8% | Athens + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Santa Ana
2388
| Metric | Athens, GA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 503 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2388 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Santa Ana
29.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Santa Ana
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Santa Ana
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Santa Ana
11.6%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 29.0% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.0% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.7% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 20.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.6% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Athens +
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 65.6°F | Athens + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 13.6 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Ana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Ana + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Santa Ana
28.0 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 28.0 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, while athens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,821. On public safety, Athens is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Ana. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Santa Ana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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