CityCompare

Salt Lake City UT 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)

Salt Lake City, UT

Utah · Population: 203,888

  • Median HH Income$74,925
  • Median Home Price$580,126
  • Unemployment3.8%
  • Bachelor's+50.9%

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
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salt Lake City
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Santa Ana
66.9%
Black
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Santa Ana
4.9%
Santa Ana +
Asian
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Santa Ana
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Salt Lake City
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Salt Lake City +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Salt Lake City
46.8%
Salt Lake City +
Santa Ana
28.8%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
Santa Ana
2388

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Santa Ana
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salt Lake City
18.2%
Salt Lake City +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Salt Lake City +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Santa Ana
15.7%
Santa Ana +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Santa Ana
11.6%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Salt Lake City +
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
Santa Ana
28.0 min

Which City is Right for You?

Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, while salt Lake City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $580,126. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Ana. Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Ana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.

Compare More Cities

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About Salt Lake City & Santa Ana

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