Saint Paul MN 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)
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
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
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Saint Paul
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Saint Paul
33.5
Saint Paul +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Saint Paul
18.7%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Saint Paul
53.2%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Saint Paul
16.2%
Saint Paul +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Santa Ana
9.8%
Hispanic
Saint Paul
9.1%
Santa Ana
16.4%
Santa Ana +
Spanish at Home
Saint Paul
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,762 | 91,535 | Saint Paul + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 42.9 | Saint Paul + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 53.2% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 16.2% | 4.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Asian | 17.9% | 9.8% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 9.1% | 16.4% | Santa Ana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Saint Paul
$73,055
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Saint Paul
$41,594
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Saint Paul
$69,467
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Saint Paul
4.9%
Saint Paul +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Saint Paul
15.8%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Saint Paul
43.5%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,055 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,594 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.1% | Saint Paul + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.5% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Saint Paul
$297,021
Saint Paul +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $297,021 | $865,610 | Saint Paul + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.2% | 28.8% | Saint Paul + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
1992
Saint Paul +
Santa Ana
2388
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 503 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 2388 | Saint Paul + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Santa Ana
29.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Santa Ana
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Saint Paul
N/A
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Santa Ana
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Santa Ana
11.6%
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 29.0% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.0% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.7% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 20.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.6% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Saint Paul
N/A
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Saint Paul
N/A
Santa Ana
13.6 in
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | 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.)
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Saint Paul
75.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | 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
Saint Paul
24.1 min
Saint Paul +
Santa Ana
28.0 min
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 28.0 min | Saint Paul + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, while saint Paul offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,021. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Ana. Saint Paul has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Santa Ana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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