San Jose 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 Jose, CA
California · Population: 990,054
- Median HH Income$141,565
- Median Home Price$1,452,609
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
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
San Jose
990,054
San Jose +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Jose
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
San Jose
38.1
San Jose +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
San Jose
41.6%
San Jose +
Santa Ana
23.2%
White
San Jose
29.0%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
San Jose
2.9%
Santa Ana
4.9%
Santa Ana +
Asian
San Jose
38.6%
San Jose +
Santa Ana
9.8%
Hispanic
San Jose
30.9%
San Jose +
Santa Ana
16.4%
Spanish at Home
San Jose
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | San Jose, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 990,054 | 91,535 | San Jose + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 42.9 | San Jose + |
| Foreign Born | 41.6% | 23.2% | San Jose + |
| White | 29.0% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 2.9% | 4.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Asian | 38.6% | 9.8% | San Jose + |
| Hispanic | 30.9% | 16.4% | San Jose + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Jose
$141,565
San Jose +
Santa Ana
$109,739
Per Capita Income
San Jose
$63,253
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Jose
$77,230
Santa Ana
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
San Jose
4.7%
San Jose +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
San Jose
7.8%
San Jose +
Santa Ana
11.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
San Jose
46.5%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | San Jose, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $141,565 | $109,739 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Income | $63,253 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 6.1% | San Jose + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.8% | 11.6% | San Jose + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Jose
$1,452,609
Santa Ana
$865,610
Santa Ana +
Homeownership Rate
San Jose
56.0%
San Jose +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | San Jose, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,452,609 | $865,610 | Santa Ana + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.0% | 28.8% | San Jose + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Jose
503
Santa Ana
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Jose
2388
Santa Ana
2388
Tie
| Metric | San Jose, 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 Jose
23.7%
San Jose +
Santa Ana
29.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Jose
11.1%
San Jose +
Santa Ana
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Jose
14.9%
San Jose +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Jose
9.1%
San Jose +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Jose
13.0%
San Jose +
Santa Ana
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Jose
9.4%
San Jose +
Santa Ana
11.6%
| Metric | San Jose, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.7% | 29.0% | San Jose + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 13.0% | San Jose + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 18.7% | San Jose + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 20.7% | San Jose + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 15.7% | San Jose + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.6% | San Jose + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Jose
61.5°F
San Jose +
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Jose
14.9 in
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
| Metric | San Jose, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.5°F | 65.6°F | San Jose + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.9 in | 13.6 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Jose
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Jose
75.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Jose, 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 Jose
30.4 min
Santa Ana
28.0 min
Santa Ana +
| Metric | San Jose, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 28.0 min | Santa Ana + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Jose leads in median household income at $141,565, 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 Jose. San Jose has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Santa Ana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Jose scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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