Santa Ana CA vs Waterbury CT — 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%
Waterbury, CT
Connecticut · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$280,921
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Santa Ana
91,535
Waterbury
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Santa Ana
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Median Age
Santa Ana
42.9
Waterbury
N/A
Foreign Born
Santa Ana
23.2%
Waterbury
N/A
White
Santa Ana
66.9%
Waterbury
N/A
Black
Santa Ana
4.9%
Waterbury
N/A
Asian
Santa Ana
9.8%
Waterbury
N/A
Hispanic
Santa Ana
16.4%
Waterbury
N/A
Spanish at Home
Santa Ana
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 91,535 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 23.2% | N/A | - |
| White | 66.9% | N/A | - |
| Black | 4.9% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 9.8% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 16.4% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Santa Ana
$109,739
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Income
Santa Ana
$90,657
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Santa Ana
$77,230
Waterbury
$85,393
Waterbury +
Unemployment Rate
Santa Ana
6.1%
Waterbury
N/A
Poverty Rate
Santa Ana
11.6%
Waterbury
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Santa Ana
68.9%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $109,739 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $90,657 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,393 | Waterbury + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 68.9% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Santa Ana
$865,610
Waterbury
$280,921
Waterbury +
Homeownership Rate
Santa Ana
28.8%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $865,610 | $280,921 | Waterbury + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Ana
503
Waterbury
156
Waterbury +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Ana
2388
Waterbury
1524
Waterbury +
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 156 | Waterbury + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1524 | Waterbury + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Waterbury
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
13.0%
Santa Ana +
Waterbury
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Santa Ana
18.7%
Santa Ana +
Waterbury
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
20.7%
Waterbury
18.5%
Waterbury +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
15.7%
Waterbury
13.2%
Waterbury +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Waterbury
16.2%
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.0% | 40.5% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.1% | Santa Ana + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 19.1% | Santa Ana + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.7% | 18.5% | Waterbury + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 13.2% | Waterbury + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 16.2% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Waterbury
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Waterbury, CT | 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
Waterbury
7.7 µg/m³
Waterbury +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Santa Ana
75.0%
Waterbury
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Waterbury + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Santa Ana
28.0 min
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.0 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Waterbury offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $280,921. On public safety, Waterbury is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Ana. Waterbury has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Ana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
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