Chula Vista CA 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)
Chula Vista, CA
California · Population: 8,933
- Median HH Income$104,238
- Median Home Price$849,245
- Unemployment2.2%
- Bachelor's+26.9%
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
Chula Vista
8,933
Santa Ana
91,535
Santa Ana +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chula Vista
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Chula Vista
42.9
Santa Ana
42.9
Tie
Foreign Born
Chula Vista
20.0%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Chula Vista
65.7%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Chula Vista
0.7%
Santa Ana
4.9%
Santa Ana +
Asian
Chula Vista
0.7%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Chula Vista
36.5%
Chula Vista +
Santa Ana
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Chula Vista
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,933 | 91,535 | Santa Ana + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 42.9 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 65.7% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 0.7% | 4.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 36.5% | 16.4% | Chula Vista + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chula Vista
$104,238
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Chula Vista
$49,562
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chula Vista
$77,230
Santa Ana
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Chula Vista
2.2%
Chula Vista +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Chula Vista
4.5%
Chula Vista +
Santa Ana
11.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chula Vista
26.9%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,238 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,562 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.2% | 6.1% | Chula Vista + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.5% | 11.6% | Chula Vista + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.9% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chula Vista
$849,245
Chula Vista +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Chula Vista
71.4%
Chula Vista +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,245 | $865,610 | Chula Vista + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.4% | 28.8% | Chula Vista + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
503
Santa Ana
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
2388
Santa Ana
2388
Tie
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
26.6%
Chula Vista +
Santa Ana
29.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
11.4%
Chula Vista +
Santa Ana
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chula Vista
16.0%
Chula Vista +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
12.4%
Chula Vista +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
15.7%
Santa Ana
15.7%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
9.6%
Chula Vista +
Santa Ana
11.6%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.6% | 29.0% | Chula Vista + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 13.0% | Chula Vista + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.7% | Chula Vista + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 20.7% | Chula Vista + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.7% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.6% | Chula Vista + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
63.5°F
Chula Vista +
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
9.8 in
Chula Vista +
Santa Ana
13.6 in
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | 65.6°F | Chula Vista + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 9.8 in | 13.6 in | Chula Vista + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chula Vista
75.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chula Vista
26.9 min
Chula Vista +
Santa Ana
28.0 min
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 28.0 min | Chula Vista + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, while chula Vista offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $849,245. On public safety, Santa Ana is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Chula Vista. Chula Vista has a lower unemployment rate at 2.2%, and Santa Ana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chula Vista scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.
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