Santa Ana CA vs Wilmington NC — 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, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Santa Ana
91,535
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Santa Ana
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Santa Ana
42.9
Wilmington
35.6
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
Wilmington
10.7%
White
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Santa Ana
4.9%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Santa Ana
16.4%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Santa Ana
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 91,535 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 35.6 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 23.2% | 10.7% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 66.9% | 48.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 4.9% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 2.3% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 16.4% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Santa Ana
6.1%
Wilmington
5.9%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
Wilmington
37.2%
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $109,739 | $57,673 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $90,657 | $35,074 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.9% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 17.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 68.9% | 37.2% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Santa Ana
$865,610
Wilmington
$419,326
Wilmington +
Homeownership Rate
Santa Ana
28.8%
Wilmington
54.6%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $865,610 | $419,326 | Wilmington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 54.6% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Ana
503
Wilmington
398
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Ana
2388
Wilmington
1999
Wilmington +
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Wilmington
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
13.0%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Santa Ana
18.7%
Wilmington
17.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
20.7%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
15.7%
Santa Ana +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Wilmington
12.2%
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.0% | 31.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 17.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.7% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 17.5% | Santa Ana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 12.2% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Wilmington
63.8°F
Wilmington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.6°F | 63.8°F | Wilmington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.6 in | 58.4 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Santa Ana
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 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
23.2 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.0 min | 23.2 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 $419,326. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Ana. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, 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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