Portland OR 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)
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
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
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Portland
38.6
Portland +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Portland
12.4%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Santa Ana
66.9%
Black
Portland
5.8%
Portland +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
Portland
8.1%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Portland
11.3%
Santa Ana
16.4%
Santa Ana +
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Portland, OR | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 91,535 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 42.9 | Portland + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 70.1% | 66.9% | Portland + |
| Black | 5.8% | 4.9% | Portland + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 16.4% | Santa Ana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$88,792
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Portland
$55,312
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$63,691
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Portland
12.8%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
53.5%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,792 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $55,312 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.1% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.5% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$538,687
Portland +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $538,687 | $865,610 | Portland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.8% | 28.8% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
355
Portland +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
3001
Santa Ana
2388
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 503 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2388 | Santa Ana + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Santa Ana
29.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Santa Ana
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
17.7%
Santa Ana
15.7%
Santa Ana +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.7%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.5% | 29.0% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 13.0% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.7% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 20.7% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
78.3 in
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 65.6°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 78.3 in | 13.6 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
55.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Ana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Ana + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
26.5 min
Portland +
Santa Ana
28.0 min
| Metric | Portland, OR | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.5 min | 28.0 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, while portland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $538,687. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Ana. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Santa Ana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Portland, ORLos Angeles, CA vs Portland, ORChicago, IL vs Portland, ORHouston, TX vs Portland, ORPhoenix, AZ vs Portland, ORPhiladelphia, PA vs Portland, OR