Fort Worth 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)
Fort Worth, TX
Texas · Population: 941,311
- Median HH Income$76,602
- Median Home Price$299,655
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+31.7%
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
Fort Worth
941,311
Fort Worth +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Worth
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Fort Worth
33.4
Fort Worth +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Fort Worth
17.0%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Fort Worth
47.7%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Fort Worth
19.5%
Fort Worth +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
Fort Worth
5.2%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Fort Worth
34.6%
Fort Worth +
Santa Ana
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Fort Worth
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 941,311 | 91,535 | Fort Worth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 42.9 | Fort Worth + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 47.7% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 19.5% | 4.9% | Fort Worth + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 34.6% | 16.4% | Fort Worth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Worth
$76,602
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Fort Worth
$37,157
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Worth
$63,758
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Worth
4.9%
Fort Worth +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Fort Worth
12.9%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Worth
31.7%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,602 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,157 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.1% | Fort Worth + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.9% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.7% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Worth
$299,655
Fort Worth +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Fort Worth
56.8%
Fort Worth +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,655 | $865,610 | Fort Worth + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.8% | 28.8% | Fort Worth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
442
Fort Worth +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
2339
Fort Worth +
Santa Ana
2388
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Fort Worth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Fort Worth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
34.6%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
12.2%
Fort Worth +
Santa Ana
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Worth
18.5%
Fort Worth +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
20.0%
Fort Worth +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
16.9%
Santa Ana
15.7%
Santa Ana +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
13.8%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.6% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 13.0% | Fort Worth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 18.7% | Fort Worth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 20.7% | Fort Worth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 15.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Worth
65.8°F
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Santa Ana +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Worth
37.8 in
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.8°F | 65.6°F | Santa Ana + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 13.6 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
9.2 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Worth
55.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Fort Worth, 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
Fort Worth
29.0 min
Santa Ana
28.0 min
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 28.0 min | Santa Ana + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, while fort Worth offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,655. On public safety, Fort Worth is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Ana. Fort Worth 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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