San Diego CA 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 Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
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
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Diego
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
San Diego
36.0
San Diego +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
Santa Ana
23.2%
White
San Diego
50.4%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
San Diego
5.7%
San Diego +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Santa Ana
9.8%
Hispanic
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
Santa Ana
16.4%
Spanish at Home
San Diego
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,385,061 | 91,535 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.0 | 42.9 | San Diego + |
| Foreign Born | 24.8% | 23.2% | San Diego + |
| White | 50.4% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 5.7% | 4.9% | San Diego + |
| Asian | 17.6% | 9.8% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 16.4% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Diego
$104,321
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
San Diego
$54,678
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Diego
$77,230
Santa Ana
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
San Diego
5.9%
San Diego +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
Santa Ana
11.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
San Diego
49.9%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,321 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,678 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.1% | San Diego + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.1% | 11.6% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.9% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Diego
$1,006,261
Santa Ana
$865,610
Santa Ana +
Homeownership Rate
San Diego
47.6%
San Diego +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,006,261 | $865,610 | Santa Ana + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 28.8% | San Diego + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Diego
503
Santa Ana
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Diego
2388
Santa Ana
2388
Tie
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Santa Ana
29.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Santa Ana
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Diego
16.5%
San Diego +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Diego
16.9%
Santa Ana
15.7%
Santa Ana +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
Santa Ana
11.6%
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.2% | 29.0% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 13.0% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 18.7% | San Diego + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 20.7% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 15.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 11.6% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Diego
61.6°F
San Diego +
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Diego
12.3 in
San Diego +
Santa Ana
13.6 in
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.6°F | 65.6°F | San Diego + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 13.6 in | San Diego + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Diego
75.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Diego
25.9 min
San Diego +
Santa Ana
28.0 min
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.9 min | 28.0 min | San Diego + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, while santa Ana offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $865,610. On public safety, Santa Ana is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in San Diego. San Diego has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Santa Ana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs San Diego, CALos Angeles, CA vs San Diego, CAChicago, IL vs San Diego, CAHouston, TX vs San Diego, CAPhoenix, AZ vs San Diego, CAPhiladelphia, PA vs San Diego, CA