Santa Ana CA vs Tampa FL — 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Santa Ana
91,535
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Santa Ana
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Santa Ana
42.9
Tampa
35.6
Tampa +
Foreign Born
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
Tampa
19.0%
White
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Tampa
51.8%
Black
Santa Ana
4.9%
Tampa
21.3%
Tampa +
Asian
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Tampa
4.8%
Hispanic
Santa Ana
16.4%
Tampa
26.2%
Tampa +
Spanish at Home
Santa Ana
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 91,535 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 35.6 | Tampa + |
| Foreign Born | 23.2% | 19.0% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 66.9% | 51.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 4.9% | 21.3% | Tampa + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 4.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 16.4% | 26.2% | Tampa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Tampa
$71,302
Per Capita Income
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Tampa
$49,513
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Tampa
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Santa Ana
6.1%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Tampa
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
Tampa
44.6%
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $109,739 | $71,302 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $90,657 | $49,513 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 15.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 68.9% | 44.6% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Santa Ana
$865,610
Tampa
$376,530
Tampa +
Homeownership Rate
Santa Ana
28.8%
Tampa
50.2%
Tampa +
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $865,610 | $376,530 | Tampa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 50.2% | Tampa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Ana
503
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Ana
2388
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Tampa
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
13.0%
Tampa
12.5%
Tampa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Santa Ana
18.7%
Tampa
17.4%
Tampa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
20.7%
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
15.7%
Santa Ana +
Tampa
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Tampa
12.6%
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.0% | 31.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.5% | Tampa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 17.4% | Tampa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.7% | 15.9% | Tampa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 12.6% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Santa Ana +
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.6°F | 73.4°F | Santa Ana + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.6 in | 46.3 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Santa Ana
75.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Santa Ana
28.0 min
Tampa
26.8 min
Tampa +
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.0 min | 26.8 min | Tampa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, while tampa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $376,530. On public safety, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Ana. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa 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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