Burbank, CA vs Santa Ana, CA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Santa Ana is 22.7% cheaper than Burbank. With a cost index of 154 vs 189, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Santa Ana to Burbank should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Burbank is $2,089/month compared to $1,975/month in Santa Ana — a 6% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Santa Ana is more affordable at $657,800 median vs $1,041,100.

Median household income in Burbank is $95,816 compared to $88,354 in Santa Ana (+8.4%). Burbank 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 Burbank spend roughly 26.2% of their income on rent, less than the 26.8% in Santa Ana.