Rochester NY 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)
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
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
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rochester
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Rochester
8.3%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Rochester
41.5%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
Rochester
3.2%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Santa Ana
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Rochester
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,720 | 91,535 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 42.9 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 8.3% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 41.5% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 37.5% | 4.9% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 3.2% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 16.4% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rochester
$46,628
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Rochester
$30,451
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Santa Ana
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Rochester
7.9%
Santa Ana
6.1%
Santa Ana +
Poverty Rate
Rochester
26.6%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rochester
29.9%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $46,628 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,451 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,230 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 6.1% | Santa Ana + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.6% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Rochester
37.2%
Rochester +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,627 | $865,610 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.2% | 28.8% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
434
Rochester +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
Santa Ana
2388
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 503 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2388 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
38.0%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
14.3%
Santa Ana
13.0%
Santa Ana +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rochester
18.8%
Santa Ana
18.7%
Santa Ana +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.3%
Santa Ana
15.7%
Santa Ana +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.6%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 13.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.7% | Santa Ana + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 20.7% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
34.3 in
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.2°F | 65.6°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.3 in | 13.6 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rochester
75.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Ana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
Santa Ana
28.0 min
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 28.0 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Ana. Santa Ana has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, 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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