Santa Ana CA vs Winston-Salem 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Santa Ana
91,535
Winston-Salem
118,578
Winston-Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Santa Ana
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Santa Ana
42.9
Winston-Salem
37.5
Winston-Salem +
Foreign Born
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Santa Ana
66.9%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Santa Ana
4.9%
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Winston-Salem +
Asian
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Santa Ana
16.4%
Santa Ana +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Santa Ana
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 91,535 | 118,578 | Winston-Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 37.5 | Winston-Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 23.2% | 5.7% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 66.9% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 4.9% | 14.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 1.3% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 16.4% | 8.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Per Capita Income
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Santa Ana
6.1%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
Winston-Salem
45.8%
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $109,739 | $63,900 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $90,657 | $46,062 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 16.3% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 68.9% | 45.8% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Santa Ana
$865,610
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Santa Ana
28.8%
Winston-Salem
46.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $865,610 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 46.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Ana
503
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Ana
2388
Winston-Salem
1999
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | Winston-Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | Winston-Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
13.0%
Santa Ana +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Santa Ana
18.7%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
20.7%
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Winston-Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
15.7%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.0% | 42.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.1% | Santa Ana + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.7% | 12.8% | Winston-Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 14.4% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | 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 +
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Santa Ana
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Winston-Salem, 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
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.0 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, while winston-Salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,013. On public safety, Winston-Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Ana. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, 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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