Santa Ana CA vs Visalia CA — 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%
Visalia, CA
California · Population: 135,983
- Median HH Income$70,663
- Median Home Price$397,983
- Unemployment11.6%
- Bachelor's+12.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Santa Ana
91,535
Visalia
135,983
Visalia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Santa Ana
N/A
Visalia
N/A
Median Age
Santa Ana
42.9
Visalia
32.0
Visalia +
Foreign Born
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
Visalia
20.1%
White
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Visalia
36.5%
Black
Santa Ana
4.9%
Visalia
17.1%
Visalia +
Asian
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Visalia
4.4%
Hispanic
Santa Ana
16.4%
Visalia
55.3%
Visalia +
Spanish at Home
Santa Ana
N/A
Visalia
N/A
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 91,535 | 135,983 | Visalia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 32.0 | Visalia + |
| Foreign Born | 23.2% | 20.1% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 66.9% | 36.5% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 4.9% | 17.1% | Visalia + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 4.4% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 16.4% | 55.3% | Visalia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Visalia
$70,663
Per Capita Income
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Visalia
$26,955
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Santa Ana
$77,230
Visalia
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Santa Ana
6.1%
Santa Ana +
Visalia
11.6%
Poverty Rate
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Visalia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
Visalia
12.4%
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $109,739 | $70,663 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $90,657 | $26,955 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 20.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 68.9% | 12.4% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Santa Ana
$865,610
Visalia
$397,983
Visalia +
Homeownership Rate
Santa Ana
28.8%
Visalia
58.5%
Visalia +
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $865,610 | $397,983 | Visalia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 58.5% | Visalia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Ana
503
Visalia
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Ana
2388
Visalia
2388
Tie
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Visalia
32.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
13.0%
Visalia
11.2%
Visalia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Santa Ana
18.7%
Visalia
17.9%
Visalia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
20.7%
Visalia
13.0%
Visalia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
15.7%
Santa Ana +
Visalia
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Visalia
12.0%
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.0% | 32.2% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.2% | Visalia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 17.9% | Visalia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.7% | 13.0% | Visalia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 12.0% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Visalia
63.3°F
Visalia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Visalia
10.9 in
Visalia +
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.6°F | 63.3°F | Visalia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.6 in | 10.9 in | Visalia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Santa Ana
75.0%
Visalia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Santa Ana
28.0 min
Santa Ana +
Visalia
41.6 min
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.0 min | 41.6 min | Santa Ana + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, while visalia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $397,983. On public safety, Visalia is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Ana. Santa Ana has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Visalia 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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