Aurora CO 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)
Aurora, CO
Colorado · Population: 390,201
- Median HH Income$84,320
- Median Home Price$464,881
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+32.9%
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
Aurora
390,201
Aurora +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
Aurora +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Aurora
49.2%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Aurora
15.8%
Aurora +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
Aurora +
Santa Ana
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 91,535 | Aurora + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 42.9 | Aurora + |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 49.2% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 15.8% | 4.9% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 16.4% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Aurora +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Aurora +
Santa Ana
11.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 6.1% | Aurora + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 11.6% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
Aurora +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Aurora +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $865,610 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 28.8% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
Santa Ana
503
Santa Ana +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
Santa Ana
2388
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 503 | Santa Ana + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2388 | Santa Ana + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
29.1%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Aurora +
Santa Ana
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
Aurora +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
Aurora +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
Santa Ana
15.7%
Santa Ana +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 13.0% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.7% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 20.7% | Aurora + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 15.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Santa Ana
13.6 in
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 13.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
6.2 µg/m³
Aurora +
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Aurora + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
30.9 min
Santa Ana
28.0 min
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 28.0 min | Santa Ana + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, while aurora offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $464,881. On public safety, Santa Ana is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Aurora. Aurora has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Aurora has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Ana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
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