Phoenix 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)
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
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
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Phoenix
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Phoenix
19.0%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Phoenix
53.7%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Phoenix
7.8%
Phoenix +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
Phoenix
3.9%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Santa Ana
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Phoenix
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,624,832 | 91,535 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 42.9 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 19.0% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 53.7% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 7.8% | 4.9% | Phoenix + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 41.8% | 16.4% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Phoenix
$77,041
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Phoenix
$40,309
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Phoenix
$59,120
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Phoenix
14.3%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Phoenix
32.3%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,041 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,309 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 6.1% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.3% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Phoenix
$411,323
Phoenix +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $411,323 | $865,610 | Phoenix + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 28.8% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
450
Phoenix +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +
Santa Ana
2388
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 503 | Phoenix + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2388 | Phoenix + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
32.3%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Santa Ana
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
17.3%
Phoenix +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
16.3%
Santa Ana
15.7%
Santa Ana +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
12.2%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.3% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 13.0% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.7% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 20.7% | Phoenix + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
72.1°F
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Santa Ana +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
Santa Ana
13.6 in
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | 65.6°F | Santa Ana + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.8 in | 13.6 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Phoenix
75.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Phoenix
27.7 min
Phoenix +
Santa Ana
28.0 min
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 28.0 min | Phoenix + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, while phoenix offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $411,323. On public safety, Phoenix is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Ana. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix 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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