Santa Ana CA vs Wilmington DE — 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%
Wilmington, DE
Delaware · Population: 71,124
- Median HH Income$55,269
- Median Home Price$327,117
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Santa Ana
91,535
Santa Ana +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Santa Ana
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Santa Ana
42.9
Wilmington
37.0
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
Wilmington
8.3%
White
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Wilmington
32.4%
Black
Santa Ana
4.9%
Wilmington
52.3%
Wilmington +
Asian
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Wilmington
1.6%
Hispanic
Santa Ana
16.4%
Santa Ana +
Wilmington
11.8%
Spanish at Home
Santa Ana
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 91,535 | 71,124 | Santa Ana + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 37.0 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 23.2% | 8.3% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 66.9% | 32.4% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 4.9% | 52.3% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 1.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 16.4% | 11.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Wilmington
$55,269
Per Capita Income
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Wilmington
$38,786
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Wilmington
$64,087
Unemployment Rate
Santa Ana
6.1%
Santa Ana +
Wilmington
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Wilmington
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
Wilmington
33.1%
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $109,739 | $55,269 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $90,657 | $38,786 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $64,087 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 7.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 68.9% | 33.1% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Santa Ana
$865,610
Wilmington
$327,117
Wilmington +
Homeownership Rate
Santa Ana
28.8%
Wilmington
46.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $865,610 | $327,117 | Wilmington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 46.0% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Ana
503
Wilmington
394
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Ana
2388
Wilmington
1991
Wilmington +
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 394 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1991 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Wilmington
41.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
13.0%
Santa Ana +
Wilmington
16.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Santa Ana
18.7%
Wilmington
18.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
20.7%
Wilmington
12.7%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
15.7%
Wilmington
13.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Wilmington
16.4%
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.0% | 41.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 16.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 18.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.7% | 12.7% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 13.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 16.4% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Wilmington
54.4°F
Wilmington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
Wilmington
49.3 in
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.6°F | 54.4°F | Wilmington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.6 in | 49.3 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Santa Ana
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Wilmington, DE | 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
Wilmington
25.0 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.0 min | 25.0 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, while wilmington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $327,117. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 394 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, Santa Ana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
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