Anaheim, CA vs Santa Ana, CA

Santa Ana is moderately more affordable than Anaheim, with a 8.2% lower cost of living index. Anaheim scores 167 compared to 154 for Santa Ana, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Anaheim can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Anaheim is $2,082/month compared to $1,975/month in Santa Ana — a 5% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Santa Ana is more affordable at $657,800 median vs $771,700.

Median household income in Anaheim is $90,583 compared to $88,354 in Santa Ana (+2.5%). Anaheim does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Anaheim spend roughly 27.6% of their income on rent, more than the 26.8% in Santa Ana.