Orem UT 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)
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
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
Orem
86,973
Santa Ana
91,535
Santa Ana +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Orem
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Orem
33.3
Orem +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Orem
10.5%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Orem
77.1%
Orem +
Santa Ana
66.9%
Black
Orem
1.9%
Santa Ana
4.9%
Santa Ana +
Asian
Orem
1.6%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Orem
30.6%
Orem +
Santa Ana
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Orem
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Orem, UT | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 86,973 | 91,535 | Santa Ana + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 42.9 | Orem + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 77.1% | 66.9% | Orem + |
| Black | 1.9% | 4.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 16.4% | Orem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Orem
$70,053
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Orem
$33,579
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Orem
$60,713
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Orem
4.0%
Orem +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Orem
12.7%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Orem
25.6%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Orem, UT | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,053 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,579 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.0% | 6.1% | Orem + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.6% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Orem
$509,396
Orem +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Orem
60.9%
Orem +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Orem, UT | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $509,396 | $865,610 | Orem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.9% | 28.8% | Orem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Orem
245
Orem +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Orem
1931
Orem +
Santa Ana
2388
| Metric | Orem, UT | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 503 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 2388 | Orem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Orem
30.3%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Santa Ana
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Orem
17.1%
Orem +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Orem
11.5%
Orem +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Santa Ana
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
Santa Ana
11.6%
| Metric | Orem, UT | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 13.0% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 18.7% | Orem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 20.7% | Orem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 15.7% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 11.6% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Orem
52.5°F
Orem +
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Orem
13.3 in
Orem +
Santa Ana
13.6 in
| Metric | Orem, UT | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 65.6°F | Orem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.3 in | 13.6 in | Orem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Orem
75.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Orem, UT | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Orem
24.5 min
Orem +
Santa Ana
28.0 min
| Metric | Orem, UT | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 28.0 min | Orem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, while orem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $509,396. On public safety, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Ana. Orem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Ana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
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