New Rochelle NY 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)
New Rochelle, NY
New York · Population: 48,198
- Median HH Income$48,535
- Median Home Price$920,484
- Unemployment9.7%
- Bachelor's+22.8%
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
New Rochelle
48,198
Santa Ana
91,535
Santa Ana +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Rochelle
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
New Rochelle
40.7
New Rochelle +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
New Rochelle
4.6%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
New Rochelle
66.1%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
New Rochelle
17.8%
New Rochelle +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
New Rochelle
2.3%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
New Rochelle
8.0%
Santa Ana
16.4%
Santa Ana +
Spanish at Home
New Rochelle
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 48,198 | 91,535 | Santa Ana + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.7 | 42.9 | New Rochelle + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 66.1% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 17.8% | 4.9% | New Rochelle + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 16.4% | Santa Ana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Rochelle
$48,535
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
New Rochelle
$30,033
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Rochelle
$77,425
New Rochelle +
Santa Ana
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
New Rochelle
9.7%
Santa Ana
6.1%
Santa Ana +
Poverty Rate
New Rochelle
23.7%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Rochelle
22.8%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,535 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,033 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,230 | New Rochelle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 6.1% | Santa Ana + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.7% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.8% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Rochelle
$920,484
Santa Ana
$865,610
Santa Ana +
Homeownership Rate
New Rochelle
57.5%
New Rochelle +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $920,484 | $865,610 | Santa Ana + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.5% | 28.8% | New Rochelle + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Rochelle
434
New Rochelle +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Rochelle
1736
New Rochelle +
Santa Ana
2388
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 503 | New Rochelle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2388 | New Rochelle + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
26.6%
New Rochelle +
Santa Ana
29.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
10.6%
New Rochelle +
Santa Ana
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Rochelle
13.8%
New Rochelle +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
9.5%
New Rochelle +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
14.9%
New Rochelle +
Santa Ana
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
9.3%
New Rochelle +
Santa Ana
11.6%
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.6% | 29.0% | New Rochelle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.0% | New Rochelle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.8% | 18.7% | New Rochelle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 20.7% | New Rochelle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.7% | New Rochelle + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 11.6% | New Rochelle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Rochelle
N/A
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Rochelle
N/A
Santa Ana
13.6 in
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 13.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Rochelle
8.1 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Rochelle
75.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Ana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Rochelle
20.0 min
New Rochelle +
Santa Ana
28.0 min
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 28.0 min | New Rochelle + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, while santa Ana offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $865,610. On public safety, New Rochelle is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Ana. Santa Ana has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Santa Ana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Rochelle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.
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