Oklahoma City OK 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)
Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 688,693
- Median HH Income$66,702
- Median Home Price$207,961
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+34.0%
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
Oklahoma City
688,693
Oklahoma City +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Oklahoma City
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Oklahoma City
35.0
Oklahoma City +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Oklahoma City
12.0%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Oklahoma City
58.4%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Oklahoma City
13.4%
Oklahoma City +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
Oklahoma City
4.5%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Oklahoma City
21.7%
Oklahoma City +
Santa Ana
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Oklahoma City
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 688,693 | 91,535 | Oklahoma City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 42.9 | Oklahoma City + |
| Foreign Born | 12.0% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 58.4% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 13.4% | 4.9% | Oklahoma City + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 21.7% | 16.4% | Oklahoma City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Oklahoma City
$66,702
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Oklahoma City
$37,109
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Oklahoma City
$57,929
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Oklahoma City
4.7%
Oklahoma City +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Oklahoma City
15.2%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Oklahoma City
34.0%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,702 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,109 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 6.1% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.0% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Oklahoma City
$207,961
Oklahoma City +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Oklahoma City
59.1%
Oklahoma City +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $207,961 | $865,610 | Oklahoma City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 28.8% | Oklahoma City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
429
Oklahoma City +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
2375
Oklahoma City +
Santa Ana
2388
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 503 | Oklahoma City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 2388 | Oklahoma City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
38.3%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
12.6%
Oklahoma City +
Santa Ana
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Oklahoma City
17.8%
Oklahoma City +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.0%
Oklahoma City +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.6%
Oklahoma City +
Santa Ana
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.9%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 13.0% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.7% | Oklahoma City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 20.7% | Oklahoma City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 15.7% | Oklahoma City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oklahoma City
N/A
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oklahoma City
37.6 in
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 13.6 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
8.8 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Oklahoma City
75.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Ana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Oklahoma City
23.6 min
Oklahoma City +
Santa Ana
28.0 min
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 28.0 min | Oklahoma City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, while oklahoma City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $207,961. On public safety, Oklahoma City is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Ana. Oklahoma City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, 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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