Manchester NH 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)
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
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
Manchester
115,415
Manchester +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Manchester
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Manchester
37.9
Manchester +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Manchester
14.8%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Santa Ana
66.9%
Black
Manchester
5.3%
Manchester +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
Manchester
4.6%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Manchester
13.5%
Santa Ana
16.4%
Santa Ana +
Spanish at Home
Manchester
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,415 | 91,535 | Manchester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 42.9 | Manchester + |
| Foreign Born | 14.8% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 76.7% | 66.9% | Manchester + |
| Black | 5.3% | 4.9% | Manchester + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 13.5% | 16.4% | Santa Ana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Manchester
$77,415
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Manchester
$44,220
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Manchester
$75,331
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Santa Ana
11.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Manchester
33.5%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,415 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,220 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $75,331 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 6.1% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.7% | 11.6% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Manchester
$441,257
Manchester +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Manchester
49.3%
Manchester +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $441,257 | $865,610 | Manchester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.3% | 28.8% | Manchester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
Santa Ana
2388
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 134 | 503 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1048 | 2388 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
35.0%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Santa Ana
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Manchester
17.4%
Manchester +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.9%
Manchester +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Manchester
16.4%
Santa Ana
15.7%
Santa Ana +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Manchester
12.9%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.0% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 13.0% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 18.7% | Manchester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 20.7% | Manchester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 15.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
49.2°F
Manchester +
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
44.6 in
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 65.6°F | Manchester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.6 in | 13.6 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Manchester
75.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Manchester
25.7 min
Manchester +
Santa Ana
28.0 min
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.7 min | 28.0 min | Manchester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, while manchester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $441,257. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Ana. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Ana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
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