Colorado Springs 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)
Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado · Population: 483,099
- Median HH Income$83,198
- Median Home Price$451,202
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
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
Colorado Springs
483,099
Colorado Springs +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Colorado Springs
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Colorado Springs
35.6
Colorado Springs +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Colorado Springs
7.4%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Colorado Springs +
Santa Ana
66.9%
Black
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Colorado Springs +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Colorado Springs +
Santa Ana
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Colorado Springs
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 483,099 | 91,535 | Colorado Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 42.9 | Colorado Springs + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 72.3% | 66.9% | Colorado Springs + |
| Black | 5.8% | 4.9% | Colorado Springs + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 18.7% | 16.4% | Colorado Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Colorado Springs +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Colorado Springs +
Santa Ana
11.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Colorado Springs
41.9%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,198 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,893 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.1% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 11.6% | Colorado Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Colorado Springs +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Colorado Springs
61.3%
Colorado Springs +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $451,202 | $865,610 | Colorado Springs + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.3% | 28.8% | Colorado Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
512
Santa Ana
503
Santa Ana +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
3234
Santa Ana
2388
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, 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
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Colorado Springs +
Santa Ana
29.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Colorado Springs +
Santa Ana
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Colorado Springs
18.0%
Colorado Springs +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Colorado Springs +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Santa Ana
15.7%
Santa Ana +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
11.0%
Colorado Springs +
Santa Ana
11.6%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 29.0% | Colorado Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 13.0% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 18.7% | Colorado Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 20.7% | Colorado Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 11.6% | Colorado Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Colorado Springs +
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.0°F | 65.6°F | Colorado Springs + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.5 in | 13.6 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Colorado Springs +
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Colorado Springs + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Colorado Springs
24.1 min
Colorado Springs +
Santa Ana
28.0 min
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 28.0 min | Colorado Springs + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, while colorado Springs offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $451,202. On public safety, Santa Ana is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Colorado Springs. Colorado Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Colorado Springs has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Colorado Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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