Concord 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)
Concord, NC
North Carolina · Population: 106,518
- Median HH Income$84,752
- Median Home Price$384,688
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+41.7%
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
Concord
106,518
Concord +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Concord
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Concord
36.2
Concord +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Concord
12.5%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Concord
54.7%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Concord
22.1%
Concord +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
Concord
6.7%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Concord
15.8%
Santa Ana
16.4%
Santa Ana +
Spanish at Home
Concord
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Concord, NC | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,518 | 91,535 | Concord + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 42.9 | Concord + |
| Foreign Born | 12.5% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 54.7% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 22.1% | 4.9% | Concord + |
| Asian | 6.7% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 15.8% | 16.4% | Santa Ana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Concord
$84,752
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Concord
$40,763
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Concord
$59,120
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Concord
4.8%
Concord +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Concord
8.6%
Concord +
Santa Ana
11.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Concord
41.7%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Concord, NC | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,752 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,763 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 6.1% | Concord + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.6% | 11.6% | Concord + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.7% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Concord
$384,688
Concord +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Concord
66.4%
Concord +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Concord, NC | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $384,688 | $865,610 | Concord + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 28.8% | Concord + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Concord
398
Concord +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Concord
1999
Concord +
Santa Ana
2388
| Metric | Concord, NC | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Concord + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Concord + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Concord
33.5%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Concord
10.6%
Concord +
Santa Ana
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Concord
16.6%
Concord +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Concord
10.5%
Concord +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Concord
15.2%
Concord +
Santa Ana
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Concord
12.5%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Concord, NC | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.0% | Concord + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 18.7% | Concord + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 20.7% | Concord + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 15.7% | Concord + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Concord
60.4°F
Concord +
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Concord
45.9 in
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Concord, NC | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.4°F | 65.6°F | Concord + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 13.6 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Concord
8.7 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Concord
75.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Concord, 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
Concord
29.7 min
Santa Ana
28.0 min
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Concord, NC | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.7 min | 28.0 min | Santa Ana + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, while concord offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $384,688. On public safety, Concord is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Ana. Concord has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, 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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