Huntsville AL 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)
Huntsville, AL
Alabama · Population: 218,814
- Median HH Income$70,778
- Median Home Price$288,707
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
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
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Huntsville +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Santa Ana
16.4%
Santa Ana +
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 91,535 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 42.9 | Huntsville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 58.4% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 29.7% | 4.9% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 16.4% | Santa Ana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 6.1% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Huntsville +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $865,610 | Huntsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 28.8% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Huntsville +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
Santa Ana
2388
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 503 | Huntsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2388 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Huntsville +
Santa Ana
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Santa Ana
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 13.0% | Huntsville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 18.7% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 20.7% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.7% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Huntsville +
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 65.6°F | Huntsville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | 13.6 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Ana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
Santa Ana
28.0 min
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 28.0 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, while huntsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $288,707. On public safety, Huntsville is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Ana. Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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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