Santa Ana CA vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Santa Ana
91,535
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Santa Ana
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Santa Ana
42.9
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
Washington
13.3%
White
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Santa Ana
4.9%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Santa Ana
16.4%
Santa Ana +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Santa Ana
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 91,535 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 23.2% | 13.3% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 66.9% | 39.1% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 4.9% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 4.1% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 16.4% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Washington
$106,287
Per Capita Income
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Washington
$75,253
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Santa Ana
$77,230
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Santa Ana
6.1%
Santa Ana +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
Washington
63.6%
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $109,739 | $106,287 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $90,657 | $75,253 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.5% | Santa Ana + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 14.5% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 68.9% | 63.6% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Santa Ana
$865,610
Washington
$580,173
Washington +
Homeownership Rate
Santa Ana
28.8%
Washington
41.1%
Washington +
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $865,610 | $580,173 | Washington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 41.1% | Washington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Ana
503
Washington
398
Washington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Ana
2388
Washington
1999
Washington +
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
29.0%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
13.0%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Santa Ana
18.7%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
20.7%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
15.7%
Santa Ana +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
11.6%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.0% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.7% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 24.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Washington, DC | 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 +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Santa Ana
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Santa Ana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Santa Ana
28.0 min
Santa Ana +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Washington, DC | 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 washington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $580,173. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Ana. Santa Ana has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Santa Ana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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