Chandler AZ 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)
Chandler, AZ
Arizona · Population: 278,123
- Median HH Income$103,691
- Median Home Price$524,013
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+46.8%
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
Chandler
278,123
Chandler +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chandler
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Chandler
37.4
Chandler +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Chandler
15.4%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Chandler
62.6%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Chandler
5.2%
Chandler +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
Chandler
11.4%
Chandler +
Santa Ana
9.8%
Hispanic
Chandler
21.4%
Chandler +
Santa Ana
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Chandler
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 278,123 | 91,535 | Chandler + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 42.9 | Chandler + |
| Foreign Born | 15.4% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 62.6% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 5.2% | 4.9% | Chandler + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 9.8% | Chandler + |
| Hispanic | 21.4% | 16.4% | Chandler + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chandler
$103,691
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Chandler
$51,746
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chandler
$59,120
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Chandler
3.6%
Chandler +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Chandler
7.7%
Chandler +
Santa Ana
11.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chandler
46.8%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $103,691 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,746 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 6.1% | Chandler + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.7% | 11.6% | Chandler + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.8% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chandler
$524,013
Chandler +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Chandler
65.6%
Chandler +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $524,013 | $865,610 | Chandler + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.6% | 28.8% | Chandler + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chandler
450
Chandler +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chandler
2150
Chandler +
Santa Ana
2388
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 503 | Chandler + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2388 | Chandler + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chandler
28.2%
Chandler +
Santa Ana
29.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.1%
Chandler +
Santa Ana
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chandler
14.1%
Chandler +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.7%
Chandler +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chandler
16.7%
Santa Ana
15.7%
Santa Ana +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.4%
Chandler +
Santa Ana
11.6%
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.2% | 29.0% | Chandler + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 13.0% | Chandler + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.1% | 18.7% | Chandler + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 20.7% | Chandler + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.6% | Chandler + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chandler
N/A
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chandler
N/A
Santa Ana
13.6 in
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | 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.)
Chandler
7.1 µg/m³
Chandler +
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chandler
75.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Chandler + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chandler
26.1 min
Chandler +
Santa Ana
28.0 min
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 28.0 min | Chandler + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, while chandler offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $524,013. On public safety, Chandler is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Ana. Chandler has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Chandler has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chandler scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.2%.
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