Santa Ana CA vs Springfield MA — 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%
Springfield, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Santa Ana
91,535
Springfield
154,751
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Santa Ana
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Santa Ana
42.9
Springfield
33.7
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
Springfield
10.2%
White
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Springfield
40.8%
Black
Santa Ana
4.9%
Springfield
20.0%
Springfield +
Asian
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Springfield
2.8%
Hispanic
Santa Ana
16.4%
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
Santa Ana
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 91,535 | 154,751 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 33.7 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 23.2% | 10.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 66.9% | 40.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 4.9% | 20.0% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 2.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 16.4% | 47.4% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Springfield
$51,339
Per Capita Income
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Springfield
$27,054
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Santa Ana
$77,230
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Santa Ana
6.1%
Santa Ana +
Springfield
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Springfield
25.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
Springfield
19.7%
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $109,739 | $51,339 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $90,657 | $27,054 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,405 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 8.2% | Santa Ana + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 25.3% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 68.9% | 19.7% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Santa Ana
$865,610
Springfield
$298,985
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Santa Ana
28.8%
Springfield
49.5%
Springfield +
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $865,610 | $298,985 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 49.5% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Ana
503
Springfield
326
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Ana
2388
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 326 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1086 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Springfield
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
13.0%
Santa Ana +
Springfield
14.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Santa Ana
18.7%
Santa Ana +
Springfield
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
20.7%
Springfield
13.7%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
15.7%
Springfield
15.1%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Springfield
17.5%
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.0% | 39.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 21.1% | Santa Ana + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.7% | 13.7% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.1% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 17.5% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Springfield, MA | 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
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Santa Ana
75.0%
Springfield
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Santa Ana
28.0 min
Springfield
22.6 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.0 min | 22.6 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $298,985. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Ana. Santa Ana has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Ana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
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