Santa Ana CA vs South Bend IN — 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%
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Santa Ana
91,535
South Bend
102,866
South Bend +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Santa Ana
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Santa Ana
42.9
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
South Bend
54.1%
Black
Santa Ana
4.9%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Santa Ana
16.4%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Santa Ana
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 91,535 | 102,866 | South Bend + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 23.2% | 8.9% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 66.9% | 54.1% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 4.9% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 1.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 16.4% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Santa Ana
6.1%
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Poverty Rate
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $109,739 | $52,512 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $90,657 | $29,511 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,697 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.0% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 22.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 68.9% | 29.4% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Santa Ana
$865,610
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Santa Ana
28.8%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $865,610 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Ana
503
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Ana
2388
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
13.0%
Santa Ana +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Santa Ana
18.7%
Santa Ana +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
20.7%
South Bend
12.6%
South Bend +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
15.7%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.0% | 39.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 15.2% | Santa Ana + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 20.3% | Santa Ana + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.7% | 12.6% | South Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 18.2% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Ana
65.6°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.6°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.6 in | 38.0 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Santa Ana
75.0%
Santa Ana +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Santa Ana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Santa Ana + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Santa Ana
28.0 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.0 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, South Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Ana. South Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, 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%.
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