Santa Ana CA vs Santa Clarita CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
Santa Clarita, CA
California · Population: 229,021
- Median HH Income$119,926
- Median Home Price$802,780
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Santa Ana
91,535
Santa Clarita
229,021
Santa Clarita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Santa Ana
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
Median Age
Santa Ana
42.9
Santa Clarita
38.1
Santa Clarita +
Foreign Born
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
Santa Clarita
21.6%
White
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Santa Clarita
53.1%
Black
Santa Ana
4.9%
Santa Ana +
Santa Clarita
4.4%
Asian
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Clarita
11.4%
Santa Clarita +
Hispanic
Santa Ana
16.4%
Santa Clarita
36.0%
Santa Clarita +
Spanish at Home
Santa Ana
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 91,535 | 229,021 | Santa Clarita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 38.1 | Santa Clarita + |
| Foreign Born | 23.2% | 21.6% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 66.9% | 53.1% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 4.9% | 4.4% | Santa Ana + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 11.4% | Santa Clarita + |
| Hispanic | 16.4% | 36.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Clarita
$119,926
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Income
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Santa Clarita
$49,571
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Clarita
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Santa Ana
6.1%
Santa Clarita
5.3%
Santa Clarita +
Poverty Rate
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Clarita
7.7%
Santa Clarita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
Santa Clarita
39.3%
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $109,739 | $119,926 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Income | $90,657 | $49,571 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.3% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 7.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 68.9% | 39.3% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Santa Ana
$865,610
Santa Clarita
$802,780
Santa Clarita +
Homeownership Rate
Santa Ana
28.8%
Santa Clarita
72.0%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $865,610 | $802,780 | Santa Clarita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 72.0% | Santa Clarita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Ana
503
Santa Clarita
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Ana
2388
Santa Clarita
2388
Tie
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Santa Clarita, 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
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Clarita
24.7%
Santa Clarita +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
13.0%
Santa Clarita
9.8%
Santa Clarita +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Santa Ana
18.7%
Santa Clarita
16.0%
Santa Clarita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
20.7%
Santa Clarita
8.0%
Santa Clarita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
15.7%
Santa Ana +
Santa Clarita
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Clarita
9.9%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.0% | 24.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 9.8% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 16.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.7% | 8.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 9.9% | Santa Clarita + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Santa Clarita
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Clarita
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Santa Ana
75.0%
Santa Clarita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Santa Clarita, 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
Santa Ana
28.0 min
Santa Ana +
Santa Clarita
37.4 min
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.0 min | 37.4 min | Santa Ana + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Clarita leads in median household income at $119,926, while santa Clarita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $802,780. On public safety, Santa Clarita is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Ana. Santa Clarita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Santa Clarita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Clarita scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.7%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Santa Ana, CALos Angeles, CA vs Santa Ana, CAChicago, IL vs Santa Ana, CAHouston, TX vs Santa Ana, CAPhoenix, AZ vs Santa Ana, CAPhiladelphia, PA vs Santa Ana, CA