Charlotte NC 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)
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
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
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Charlotte +
Santa Ana
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 91,535 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 42.9 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 41.5% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 34.1% | 4.9% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 16.4% | Charlotte + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 6.1% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Charlotte +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Charlotte +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $865,610 | Charlotte + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 28.8% | Charlotte + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Charlotte +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Charlotte +
Santa Ana
2388
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Charlotte + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Charlotte + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Charlotte +
Santa Ana
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Charlotte +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Charlotte +
Santa Ana
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Santa Ana
11.6%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 13.0% | Charlotte + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 18.7% | Charlotte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 20.7% | Charlotte + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 15.7% | Charlotte + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.6% | Charlotte + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Charlotte +
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | 65.6°F | Charlotte + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | 13.6 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Ana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Charlotte +
Santa Ana
28.0 min
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 28.0 min | Charlotte + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, while charlotte offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,070. On public safety, Charlotte is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Ana. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, 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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