Santa Ana CA vs Tempe 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Santa Ana
91,535
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Santa Ana
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Santa Ana
42.9
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
Tempe
13.9%
White
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Tempe
60.1%
Black
Santa Ana
4.9%
Tempe
7.8%
Tempe +
Asian
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Tempe
9.5%
Hispanic
Santa Ana
16.4%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Santa Ana
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 91,535 | 186,419 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 23.2% | 13.9% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 66.9% | 60.1% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 4.9% | 7.8% | Tempe + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 9.5% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 16.4% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Tempe
$77,643
Per Capita Income
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Tempe
$42,371
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Santa Ana
6.1%
Tempe
5.7%
Tempe +
Poverty Rate
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
Tempe
49.5%
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $109,739 | $77,643 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $90,657 | $42,371 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.7% | Tempe + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 16.2% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 68.9% | 49.5% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Santa Ana
$865,610
Tempe
$468,328
Tempe +
Homeownership Rate
Santa Ana
28.8%
Tempe
41.6%
Tempe +
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $865,610 | $468,328 | Tempe + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 41.6% | Tempe + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Ana
503
Tempe
450
Tempe +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Ana
2388
Tempe
2150
Tempe +
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Tempe + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Tempe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
29.0%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
13.0%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Santa Ana
18.7%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
20.7%
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
15.7%
Santa Ana +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
11.6%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.0% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.7% | 10.7% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 18.3% | Santa Ana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Santa Ana +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.6°F | 71.3°F | Santa Ana + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.6 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Santa Ana
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Santa Ana
28.0 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.0 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, while tempe offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $468,328. On public safety, Tempe is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Ana. Tempe has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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