Dallas TX 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)
Dallas, TX
Texas · Population: 1,299,553
- Median HH Income$67,760
- Median Home Price$311,957
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+37.4%
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
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dallas
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Dallas
33.4
Dallas +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Dallas
23.4%
Dallas +
Santa Ana
23.2%
White
Dallas
41.9%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Dallas
23.7%
Dallas +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
Dallas
3.7%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Santa Ana
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Dallas
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 91,535 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 42.9 | Dallas + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 23.2% | Dallas + |
| White | 41.9% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 23.7% | 4.9% | Dallas + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 16.4% | Dallas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dallas
$67,760
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Dallas
$44,138
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dallas
$63,758
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Dallas
4.9%
Dallas +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Dallas
17.2%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dallas
37.4%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.1% | Dallas + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dallas
$311,957
Dallas +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Dallas
42.4%
Dallas +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $311,957 | $865,610 | Dallas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 28.8% | Dallas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
442
Dallas +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
2339
Dallas +
Santa Ana
2388
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Dallas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Dallas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
36.8%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
12.4%
Dallas +
Santa Ana
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dallas
17.8%
Dallas +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dallas
22.7%
Santa Ana
20.7%
Santa Ana +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dallas
17.4%
Santa Ana
15.7%
Santa Ana +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dallas
13.0%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.0% | Dallas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.7% | Dallas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.7% | 20.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 15.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
65.9°F
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Santa Ana +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
40.6 in
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 65.6°F | Santa Ana + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.6 in | 13.6 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dallas
55.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Ana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Ana + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dallas
28.3 min
Santa Ana
28.0 min
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 28.0 min | Santa Ana + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, while dallas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $311,957. On public safety, Dallas is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Ana. Dallas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, 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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