Santa Ana CA vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Santa Ana
91,535
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Santa Ana
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Santa Ana
42.9
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
Seattle
19.9%
White
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Seattle
61.8%
Black
Santa Ana
4.9%
Seattle
6.6%
Seattle +
Asian
Santa Ana
9.8%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Santa Ana
16.4%
Santa Ana +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Santa Ana
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 91,535 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 35.5 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 23.2% | 19.9% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 66.9% | 61.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 4.9% | 6.6% | Seattle + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 16.4% | 8.2% | Santa Ana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Santa Ana
$109,739
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Seattle
$82,508
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Seattle
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Santa Ana
6.1%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Santa Ana
11.6%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
Seattle
67.5%
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $109,739 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $90,657 | $82,508 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 68.9% | 67.5% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Santa Ana
$865,610
Santa Ana +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Santa Ana
28.8%
Seattle
44.3%
Seattle +
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $865,610 | $871,599 | Santa Ana + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 44.3% | Seattle + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Ana
503
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Ana
2388
Santa Ana +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Santa Ana + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
29.0%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
13.0%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Santa Ana
18.7%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
20.7%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
15.7%
Santa Ana +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
11.6%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.0% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.7% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 19.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Seattle
52.6°F
Seattle +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.6°F | 52.6°F | Seattle + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.6 in | 37.5 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Santa Ana
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Santa Ana
28.0 min
Santa Ana +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.0 min | 28.8 min | Santa Ana + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while santa Ana offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $865,610. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Ana. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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