Atlanta 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)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
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
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Santa Ana
16.4%
Santa Ana +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 91,535 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 42.9 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 39.9% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 46.9% | 4.9% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 16.4% | Santa Ana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Atlanta +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.1% | Atlanta + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Atlanta +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Atlanta +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $865,610 | Atlanta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 28.8% | Atlanta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Atlanta +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Santa Ana
2388
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 503 | Atlanta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2388 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Santa Ana
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Atlanta +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Santa Ana
15.7%
Santa Ana +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Santa Ana
11.6%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.0% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.7% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 20.7% | Atlanta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 15.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 11.6% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 13.6 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Atlanta, 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
Atlanta
28.7 min
Santa Ana
28.0 min
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 28.0 min | Santa Ana + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, while atlanta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $387,752. On public safety, Atlanta is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Ana. Atlanta has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, 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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