Ontario 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)
Ontario, CA
California · Population: 138,723
- Median HH Income$116,945
- Median Home Price$671,948
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
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
Ontario
138,723
Ontario +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Ontario
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Ontario
36.9
Ontario +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Ontario
21.0%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Ontario
53.6%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Ontario
1.6%
Santa Ana
4.9%
Santa Ana +
Asian
Ontario
13.1%
Ontario +
Santa Ana
9.8%
Hispanic
Ontario
40.0%
Ontario +
Santa Ana
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Ontario
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,723 | 91,535 | Ontario + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 42.9 | Ontario + |
| Foreign Born | 21.0% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 53.6% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 1.6% | 4.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Asian | 13.1% | 9.8% | Ontario + |
| Hispanic | 40.0% | 16.4% | Ontario + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Ontario
$116,945
Ontario +
Santa Ana
$109,739
Per Capita Income
Ontario
$50,759
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Ontario
$77,230
Santa Ana
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Ontario
4.7%
Ontario +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Ontario
9.2%
Ontario +
Santa Ana
11.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Ontario
40.1%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $116,945 | $109,739 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,759 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 6.1% | Ontario + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.2% | 11.6% | Ontario + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Ontario
$671,948
Ontario +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Ontario
58.1%
Ontario +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $671,948 | $865,610 | Ontario + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 28.8% | Ontario + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ontario
503
Santa Ana
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ontario
2388
Santa Ana
2388
Tie
| Metric | Ontario, 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
Ontario
33.6%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
Santa Ana
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Ontario
17.8%
Ontario +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Ontario
17.0%
Ontario +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Ontario
15.7%
Santa Ana
15.7%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Ontario
12.0%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.6% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.0% | Ontario + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.7% | Ontario + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 20.7% | Ontario + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.7% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ontario
65.5°F
Ontario +
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ontario
15.0 in
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.5°F | 65.6°F | Ontario + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 15.0 in | 13.6 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Ontario
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Ontario
75.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Ontario, 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
Ontario
28.2 min
Santa Ana
28.0 min
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 28.0 min | Santa Ana + |
Which City is Right for You?
Ontario leads in median household income at $116,945, while ontario offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $671,948. On public safety, Santa Ana is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Ontario. Ontario 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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