Chicago IL 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)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Chicago
39.1%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Santa Ana
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 91,535 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 42.9 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 39.1% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 28.4% | 4.9% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 16.4% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Santa Ana
6.1%
Santa Ana +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 6.1% | Santa Ana + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Chicago +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $865,610 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 28.8% | Chicago + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Santa Ana
2388
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 503 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2388 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
Santa Ana
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Chicago +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Santa Ana
15.7%
Santa Ana +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.0% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.7% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 20.7% | Chicago + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 15.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 65.6°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 13.6 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Ana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Ana + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Santa Ana
28.0 min
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 28.0 min | Santa Ana + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, while chicago offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,183. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Ana. Santa Ana has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, 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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