Santa Ana CA vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Santa Ana
91,535
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Santa Ana
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Santa Ana
42.9
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Santa Ana
23.2%
Worcester
23.2%
Tie
White
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Santa Ana
4.9%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Worcester
6.9%
Hispanic
Santa Ana
16.4%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Santa Ana
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 91,535 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 23.2% | 23.2% | Tie |
| White | 66.9% | 58.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 4.9% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 6.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 16.4% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Santa Ana
$77,230
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Santa Ana
6.1%
Santa Ana +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $109,739 | $67,544 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $90,657 | $35,825 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.4% | Santa Ana + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 19.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 68.9% | 34.1% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Santa Ana
$865,610
Worcester
$435,532
Worcester +
Homeownership Rate
Santa Ana
28.8%
Worcester
42.4%
Worcester +
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $865,610 | $435,532 | Worcester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 42.4% | Worcester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Ana
503
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Ana
2388
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
13.0%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Santa Ana
18.7%
Santa Ana +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
20.7%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
15.7%
Santa Ana +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.0% | 35.3% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 19.9% | Santa Ana + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.7% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 17.1% | Santa Ana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 14.5% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.6°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.6 in | 48.1 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Santa Ana
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Santa Ana
28.0 min
Worcester
27.3 min
Worcester +
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.0 min | 27.3 min | Worcester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, while worcester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,532. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Ana. Santa Ana has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Ana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Santa Ana, CALos Angeles, CA vs Santa Ana, CAChicago, IL vs Santa Ana, CAHouston, TX vs Santa Ana, CAPhoenix, AZ vs Santa Ana, CAPhiladelphia, PA vs Santa Ana, CA