Columbia SC 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)
Columbia, SC
South Carolina · Population: 138,019
- Median HH Income$55,653
- Median Home Price$229,993
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
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
Columbia
138,019
Columbia +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Santa Ana
16.4%
Santa Ana +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 91,535 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 42.9 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 49.9% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 39.5% | 4.9% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 16.4% | Santa Ana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Santa Ana
6.1%
Santa Ana +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 6.1% | Santa Ana + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Columbia +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $865,610 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 28.8% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
Santa Ana
2388
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Santa Ana
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Santa Ana
18.7%
Santa Ana +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Columbia +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Santa Ana
15.7%
Santa Ana +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 13.0% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.7% | Santa Ana + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 20.7% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Santa Ana +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 65.6°F | Santa Ana + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 13.6 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Ana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Santa Ana
28.0 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 28.0 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 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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