Santa Ana CA vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Santa Ana
91,535
Surprise
149,519
Surprise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Santa Ana
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Santa Ana
42.9
Surprise
41.6
Surprise +
Foreign Born
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Santa Ana
66.9%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Santa Ana
4.9%
Santa Ana +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Santa Ana
16.4%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
Santa Ana
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 91,535 | 149,519 | Surprise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 41.6 | Surprise + |
| Foreign Born | 23.2% | 6.8% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 66.9% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 4.9% | 4.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 2.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 16.4% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Surprise
$93,371
Per Capita Income
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Surprise
$39,604
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Santa Ana
6.1%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Santa Ana
11.6%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $109,739 | $93,371 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $90,657 | $39,604 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 68.9% | 31.0% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Santa Ana
$865,610
Surprise
$422,520
Surprise +
Homeownership Rate
Santa Ana
28.8%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $865,610 | $422,520 | Surprise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Ana
503
Surprise
450
Surprise +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Ana
2388
Surprise
2150
Surprise +
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Surprise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Surprise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Surprise
29.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
13.0%
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Santa Ana
18.7%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
20.7%
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
15.7%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
11.6%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.0% | 29.4% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.2% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.7% | 10.5% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Surprise, AZ | 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
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Santa Ana
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Santa Ana
28.0 min
Santa Ana +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.0 min | 32.8 min | Santa Ana + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, while surprise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $422,520. On public safety, Surprise is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Ana. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Ana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
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