Mesa AZ 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)
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
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
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mesa
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Mesa
37.2
Mesa +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Mesa
11.2%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Santa Ana
66.9%
Black
Mesa
4.4%
Santa Ana
4.9%
Santa Ana +
Asian
Mesa
2.5%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Santa Ana
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Mesa
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 507,478 | 91,535 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 42.9 | Mesa + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 69.7% | 66.9% | Mesa + |
| Black | 4.4% | 4.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 26.6% | 16.4% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mesa
$78,779
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Mesa
$39,586
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mesa
$59,120
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Santa Ana
11.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mesa
31.5%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,779 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,586 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 6.1% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.5% | 11.6% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mesa
$435,670
Mesa +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,670 | $865,610 | Mesa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.3% | 28.8% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
450
Mesa +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
2150
Mesa +
Santa Ana
2388
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 503 | Mesa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2388 | Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
30.7%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Santa Ana
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mesa
13.0%
Mesa +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mesa
16.1%
Santa Ana
15.7%
Santa Ana +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
Santa Ana
11.6%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.0% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 18.7% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 20.7% | Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.6% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
71.8°F
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Santa Ana +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
Santa Ana
13.6 in
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.8°F | 65.6°F | Santa Ana + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.7 in | 13.6 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mesa
75.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mesa
26.7 min
Mesa +
Santa Ana
28.0 min
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 28.0 min | Mesa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, while mesa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,670. On public safety, Mesa is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Ana. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Ana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
Compare More Cities
Mesa, AZ vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Mesa, AZChicago, IL vs Mesa, AZHouston, TX vs Mesa, AZMesa, AZ vs Phoenix, AZMesa, AZ vs Philadelphia, PA