Santa Ana CA vs Spokane 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%
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Santa Ana
91,535
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Santa Ana
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Santa Ana
42.9
Spokane
37.2
Spokane +
Foreign Born
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
Spokane
6.1%
White
Santa Ana
66.9%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Santa Ana
4.9%
Santa Ana +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Spokane
2.9%
Hispanic
Santa Ana
16.4%
Santa Ana +
Spokane
7.8%
Spanish at Home
Santa Ana
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 91,535 | 229,228 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 37.2 | Spokane + |
| Foreign Born | 23.2% | 6.1% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 66.9% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 4.9% | 2.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 2.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 16.4% | 7.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Spokane
$65,745
Per Capita Income
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Spokane
$38,200
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Spokane
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Santa Ana
6.1%
Spokane
6.0%
Spokane +
Poverty Rate
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Spokane
14.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
Spokane
32.6%
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $109,739 | $65,745 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $90,657 | $38,200 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.0% | Spokane + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 14.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 68.9% | 32.6% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Santa Ana
$865,610
Spokane
$400,636
Spokane +
Homeownership Rate
Santa Ana
28.8%
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $865,610 | $400,636 | Spokane + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 58.3% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Ana
503
Spokane
383
Spokane +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Ana
2388
Santa Ana +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Spokane + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Santa Ana + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Spokane
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
13.0%
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Santa Ana
18.7%
Spokane
18.6%
Spokane +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
20.7%
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
15.7%
Santa Ana +
Spokane
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Spokane
12.7%
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.0% | 35.3% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.3% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 18.6% | Spokane + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.7% | 8.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 17.5% | Santa Ana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 12.7% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
Spokane
17.1 in
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.6°F | 46.1°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.6 in | 17.1 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Santa Ana
75.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Santa Ana
28.0 min
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.0 min | 22.6 min | Spokane + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, while spokane offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $400,636. On public safety, Spokane is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Ana. Spokane has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Ana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
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