Norwalk 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)
Norwalk, CA
California · Population: 100,713
- Median HH Income$98,709
- Median Home Price$765,319
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Norwalk
100,713
Norwalk +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norwalk
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Norwalk
36.5
Norwalk +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Norwalk
32.6%
Norwalk +
Santa Ana
23.2%
White
Norwalk
24.0%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Norwalk
4.2%
Santa Ana
4.9%
Santa Ana +
Asian
Norwalk
13.8%
Norwalk +
Santa Ana
9.8%
Hispanic
Norwalk
69.5%
Norwalk +
Santa Ana
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Norwalk
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,713 | 91,535 | Norwalk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 42.9 | Norwalk + |
| Foreign Born | 32.6% | 23.2% | Norwalk + |
| White | 24.0% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 4.2% | 4.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Asian | 13.8% | 9.8% | Norwalk + |
| Hispanic | 69.5% | 16.4% | Norwalk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norwalk
$98,709
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Norwalk
$31,989
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norwalk
$77,230
Santa Ana
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Norwalk
5.6%
Norwalk +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Norwalk
9.7%
Norwalk +
Santa Ana
11.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Norwalk
21.3%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,709 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,989 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 6.1% | Norwalk + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 11.6% | Norwalk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norwalk
$765,319
Norwalk +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Norwalk
68.1%
Norwalk +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $765,319 | $865,610 | Norwalk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.1% | 28.8% | Norwalk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norwalk
503
Santa Ana
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norwalk
2388
Santa Ana
2388
Tie
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
26.9%
Norwalk +
Santa Ana
29.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
12.7%
Norwalk +
Santa Ana
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norwalk
16.1%
Norwalk +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
15.4%
Norwalk +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
15.3%
Norwalk +
Santa Ana
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
10.5%
Norwalk +
Santa Ana
11.6%
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.9% | 29.0% | Norwalk + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 13.0% | Norwalk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 18.7% | Norwalk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 20.7% | Norwalk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.7% | Norwalk + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 11.6% | Norwalk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norwalk
N/A
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norwalk
N/A
Santa Ana
13.6 in
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | 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.)
Norwalk
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norwalk
75.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norwalk
32.1 min
Santa Ana
28.0 min
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.1 min | 28.0 min | Santa Ana + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, while norwalk offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $765,319. On public safety, Santa Ana is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Norwalk. Norwalk has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Santa Ana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norwalk scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.9%.
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