McKinney 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)
McKinney, TX
Texas · Population: 148,848
- Median HH Income$71,843
- Median Home Price$487,346
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+18.5%
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
McKinney
148,848
McKinney +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
McKinney
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
McKinney
33.4
McKinney +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
McKinney
21.0%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
McKinney
37.8%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
McKinney
24.7%
McKinney +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
McKinney
3.0%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
McKinney
44.7%
McKinney +
Santa Ana
16.4%
Spanish at Home
McKinney
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,848 | 91,535 | McKinney + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 42.9 | McKinney + |
| Foreign Born | 21.0% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 37.8% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 24.7% | 4.9% | McKinney + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 44.7% | 16.4% | McKinney + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
McKinney
$71,843
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
McKinney
$29,291
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
McKinney
$63,758
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
McKinney
4.8%
McKinney +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
McKinney
12.4%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Bachelor's Degree+
McKinney
18.5%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,843 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,291 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 6.1% | McKinney + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.4% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.5% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
McKinney
$487,346
McKinney +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
McKinney
63.2%
McKinney +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $487,346 | $865,610 | McKinney + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.2% | 28.8% | McKinney + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
McKinney
442
McKinney +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
McKinney
2339
McKinney +
Santa Ana
2388
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | McKinney + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | McKinney + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
McKinney
33.9%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
McKinney
9.1%
McKinney +
Santa Ana
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
McKinney
15.7%
McKinney +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
McKinney
10.9%
McKinney +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
McKinney
18.3%
Santa Ana
15.7%
Santa Ana +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
McKinney
9.9%
McKinney +
Santa Ana
11.6%
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 13.0% | McKinney + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.7% | 18.7% | McKinney + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 20.7% | McKinney + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 15.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 11.6% | McKinney + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
McKinney
64.2°F
McKinney +
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
McKinney
40.0 in
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 65.6°F | McKinney + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.0 in | 13.6 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
McKinney
9.2 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
McKinney
55.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | McKinney, 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
McKinney
35.6 min
Santa Ana
28.0 min
Santa Ana +
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.6 min | 28.0 min | Santa Ana + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, while mcKinney offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $487,346. On public safety, McKinney is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Ana. McKinney has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, 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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