Denver 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)
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
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
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Denver
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Denver
35.2
Denver +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Denver
13.9%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Denver
62.9%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Denver
8.8%
Denver +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
Denver
3.6%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Denver
27.9%
Denver +
Santa Ana
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Denver
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Denver, CO | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | 91,535 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 42.9 | Denver + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 62.9% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 8.8% | 4.9% | Denver + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 27.9% | 16.4% | Denver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Denver
$91,681
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Denver
$61,202
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Denver
$76,653
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Denver
4.6%
Denver +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Denver
11.2%
Denver +
Santa Ana
11.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Denver
55.6%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,681 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $61,202 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 6.1% | Denver + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.2% | 11.6% | Denver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.6% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Denver
$541,899
Denver +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Denver
49.1%
Denver +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $541,899 | $865,610 | Denver + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 28.8% | Denver + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
512
Santa Ana
503
Santa Ana +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
3234
Santa Ana
2388
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Denver, 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
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Santa Ana
29.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Santa Ana
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Denver
15.5%
Denver +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Denver
13.3%
Denver +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Denver
25.9%
Santa Ana
15.7%
Santa Ana +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Denver
10.2%
Denver +
Santa Ana
11.6%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.6% | 29.0% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 13.0% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 18.7% | Denver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 20.7% | Denver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 25.9% | 15.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 11.6% | Denver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
N/A
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
17.2 in
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.2 in | 13.6 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Denver
75.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Denver, CO | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Denver
27.4 min
Denver +
Santa Ana
28.0 min
| Metric | Denver, CO | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 28.0 min | Denver + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, while denver offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $541,899. On public safety, Santa Ana is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Denver. Denver has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
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