Inglewood CA 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)

Inglewood, CA

California · Population: 90,669

  • Median HH Income$78,709
  • Median Home Price$761,870
  • Unemployment4.6%
  • Bachelor's+21.1%

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
Inglewood
90,669
Santa Ana
91,535
Santa Ana +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Inglewood
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Inglewood
38.2
Inglewood +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Inglewood
25.3%
Inglewood +
Santa Ana
23.2%
White
Inglewood
36.5%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Inglewood
3.4%
Santa Ana
4.9%
Santa Ana +
Asian
Inglewood
2.7%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Inglewood
68.9%
Inglewood +
Santa Ana
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Inglewood
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Inglewood
$78,709
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Inglewood
$35,231
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Inglewood
$77,230
Santa Ana
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Inglewood
4.6%
Inglewood +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Inglewood
11.6%
Inglewood +
Santa Ana
11.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Inglewood
21.1%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Inglewood
$761,870
Inglewood +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Inglewood
68.3%
Inglewood +
Santa Ana
28.8%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Inglewood
503
Santa Ana
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Inglewood
2388
Santa Ana
2388
Tie

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Inglewood
32.6%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Inglewood
14.5%
Santa Ana
13.0%
Santa Ana +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Inglewood
18.2%
Inglewood +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Inglewood
14.4%
Inglewood +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Inglewood
14.2%
Inglewood +
Santa Ana
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Inglewood
12.7%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Inglewood
N/A
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Inglewood
N/A
Santa Ana
13.6 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Inglewood
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Inglewood
75.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Inglewood
24.0 min
Inglewood +
Santa Ana
28.0 min

Which City is Right for You?

Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, while inglewood offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $761,870. On public safety, Santa Ana is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Inglewood. Inglewood has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, 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%.

Compare More Cities

About Inglewood & Santa Ana