Santa Ana CA vs St. Charles MO — 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%
St. Charles, MO
Missouri · Population: 71,542
- Median HH Income$55,578
- Median Home Price$144,200
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+22.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Santa Ana
91,535
Santa Ana +
St. Charles
71,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Santa Ana
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
Santa Ana
42.9
St. Charles
37.9
St. Charles +
Foreign Born
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
St. Charles
4.2%
White
Santa Ana
66.9%
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Black
Santa Ana
4.9%
St. Charles
6.7%
St. Charles +
Asian
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
Santa Ana
16.4%
Santa Ana +
St. Charles
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Santa Ana
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 91,535 | 71,542 | Santa Ana + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 37.9 | St. Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 23.2% | 4.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 66.9% | 80.4% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 4.9% | 6.7% | St. Charles + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 1.4% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 16.4% | 7.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
St. Charles
$55,578
Per Capita Income
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
St. Charles
$31,499
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
St. Charles
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Santa Ana
6.1%
St. Charles
4.7%
St. Charles +
Poverty Rate
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
St. Charles
18.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
St. Charles
22.7%
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $109,739 | $55,578 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $90,657 | $31,499 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,527 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.7% | St. Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 18.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 68.9% | 22.7% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Santa Ana
$865,610
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Santa Ana
28.8%
St. Charles
61.4%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $865,610 | $144,200 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 61.4% | St. Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Ana
503
St. Charles
501
St. Charles +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Ana
2388
Santa Ana +
St. Charles
2418
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 501 | St. Charles + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2418 | Santa Ana + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
St. Charles
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
13.0%
St. Charles
10.4%
St. Charles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Santa Ana
18.7%
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
20.7%
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
15.7%
Santa Ana +
St. Charles
18.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
St. Charles
12.5%
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.0% | 35.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.4% | St. Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 16.0% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.7% | 7.1% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 18.4% | Santa Ana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 12.5% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Ana
65.6°F
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Ana
13.6 in
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | St. Charles, MO | 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 Ana +
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Santa Ana
75.0%
Santa Ana +
St. Charles
55.0%
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 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
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.0 min | 18.3 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, St. Charles is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Ana. St. Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, 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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