Peoria AZ 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)
Peoria, AZ
Arizona · Population: 194,338
- Median HH Income$93,403
- Median Home Price$488,428
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+35.5%
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
Peoria
194,338
Peoria +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Peoria
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Peoria
42.1
Peoria +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Peoria
11.3%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Peoria
72.6%
Peoria +
Santa Ana
66.9%
Black
Peoria
3.4%
Santa Ana
4.9%
Santa Ana +
Asian
Peoria
5.8%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Peoria
19.7%
Peoria +
Santa Ana
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Peoria
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Peoria, AZ | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 194,338 | 91,535 | Peoria + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.1 | 42.9 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 72.6% | 66.9% | Peoria + |
| Black | 3.4% | 4.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 19.7% | 16.4% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Peoria
$93,403
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Peoria
$45,831
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Peoria
$59,120
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Peoria
3.5%
Peoria +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Peoria
8.4%
Peoria +
Santa Ana
11.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Peoria
35.5%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Peoria, AZ | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $93,403 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,831 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 6.1% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 11.6% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Peoria
$488,428
Peoria +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Peoria
75.5%
Peoria +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Peoria, AZ | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $488,428 | $865,610 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 75.5% | 28.8% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
450
Peoria +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
2150
Peoria +
Santa Ana
2388
| Metric | Peoria, AZ | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 503 | Peoria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2388 | Peoria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Peoria
29.5%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Peoria
10.5%
Peoria +
Santa Ana
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Peoria
14.5%
Peoria +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Peoria
10.3%
Peoria +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Peoria
15.7%
Santa Ana
15.7%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Peoria
10.6%
Peoria +
Santa Ana
11.6%
| Metric | Peoria, AZ | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.5% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 13.0% | Peoria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 18.7% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 20.7% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.7% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.6% | Peoria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
N/A
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
N/A
Santa Ana
13.6 in
| Metric | Peoria, AZ | 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.)
Peoria
7.1 µg/m³
Peoria +
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Peoria
75.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Peoria, AZ | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Peoria + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Peoria
31.2 min
Santa Ana
28.0 min
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Peoria, AZ | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.2 min | 28.0 min | Santa Ana + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, while peoria offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $488,428. On public safety, Peoria is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Ana. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Peoria has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Ana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
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