Santa Ana CA vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Santa Ana
91,535
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Santa Ana
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Santa Ana
42.9
Virginia Beach
37.4
Virginia Beach +
Foreign Born
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Black
Santa Ana
4.9%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Hispanic
Santa Ana
16.4%
Santa Ana +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Santa Ana
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 91,535 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 37.4 | Virginia Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 23.2% | 9.1% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 66.9% | 61.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 4.9% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 7.2% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 16.4% | 8.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Per Capita Income
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Santa Ana
6.1%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Santa Ana
11.6%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
Virginia Beach
40.4%
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $109,739 | $90,685 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $90,657 | $47,372 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,581 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 68.9% | 40.4% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Santa Ana
$865,610
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Virginia Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Santa Ana
28.8%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $865,610 | $427,121 | Virginia Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Ana
503
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Ana
2388
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
13.0%
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Santa Ana
18.7%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
20.7%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
15.7%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Virginia Beach
12.1%
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.0% | 36.5% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.7% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 12.1% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | 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 +
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Santa Ana
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Santa Ana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Santa Ana
28.0 min
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.0 min | 25.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, while virginia Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,121. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Ana. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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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