San Antonio TX 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)
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
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
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Antonio
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
San Antonio
34.6
San Antonio +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
San Antonio
14.3%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
San Antonio
48.3%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
San Antonio
7.0%
San Antonio +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
San Antonio
3.1%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Santa Ana
16.4%
Spanish at Home
San Antonio
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,458,954 | 91,535 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 42.9 | San Antonio + |
| Foreign Born | 14.3% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 48.3% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 7.0% | 4.9% | San Antonio + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 64.4% | 16.4% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Antonio
$62,917
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
San Antonio
$32,983
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Antonio
$63,758
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
San Antonio
5.8%
San Antonio +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
San Antonio
17.1%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Bachelor's Degree+
San Antonio
28.7%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,917 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,983 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 6.1% | San Antonio + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.1% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.7% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Antonio
$251,035
San Antonio +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
San Antonio
52.4%
San Antonio +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,035 | $865,610 | San Antonio + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.4% | 28.8% | San Antonio + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Antonio
442
San Antonio +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Antonio
2339
San Antonio +
Santa Ana
2388
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | San Antonio + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | San Antonio + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
34.9%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
15.2%
Santa Ana
13.0%
Santa Ana +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Antonio
17.2%
San Antonio +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
24.5%
Santa Ana
20.7%
Santa Ana +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
16.0%
Santa Ana
15.7%
Santa Ana +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
13.0%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.9% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 13.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.7% | San Antonio + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.5% | 20.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 15.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Antonio
68.5°F
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Santa Ana +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Antonio
34.9 in
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.5°F | 65.6°F | Santa Ana + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 13.6 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Antonio
55.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Ana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Ana + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Antonio
26.5 min
San Antonio +
Santa Ana
28.0 min
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.5 min | 28.0 min | San Antonio + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, while san Antonio offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,035. On public safety, San Antonio is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Ana. San Antonio has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs San Antonio, TXLos Angeles, CA vs San Antonio, TXChicago, IL vs San Antonio, TXHouston, TX vs San Antonio, TXPhoenix, AZ vs San Antonio, TXPhiladelphia, PA vs San Antonio, TX