Santa Ana—that’s one California city where you can immerse yourself in its history and heritage without getting bored.
It’s also one of the most underrated and overlooked cities in California. Tourists often drive right past it on their way to Disneyland or Newport Beach. Even some future residents never even put it on their radar from the start.
…however, if you are fortunate enough to stumble upon Santa Ana, the fortune doesn’t stop soon after you move here.
The city combines urban energy with a friendly atmosphere. But, like many parts of California, living costs are way up, and crime has made a few headlines recently. Although these realities don’t erase the good life that’s thriving here.
So, if you have decided that living in Santa Ana is the right choice for you, here’s everything you need to know to settle easily into life here.
The Cost of Living Reflects California
What should you know when planning a move to Santa Ana? To begin, you should know just how expensive life is here.
At a cost 40% higher than the U.S. average, you will need at least $6,333 monthly to live comfortably as a single person. If you have a family, budget a steady $11,160 per month to live comfortably.
When it comes to housing, recent figures reveal that the median home price hovers around $800,000.
In neighborhoods like the Southeast Industrial District, you can pay monthly rent as high as $3,300 on average. Meanwhile, the more “affordable” neighborhoods, such as Downtown Santa Ana, typically fall within the $2,000 range.
- Average House Rent: $2,686
- Median Home Value: $825,000
However, compared to other major Orange County cities, such as Irvine or Huntington Beach, Santa Ana can still feel like a financial breather. Utilities and transportation costs are more reasonable but still higher than the national average.
| Expense Category | Compared to the National Average |
|---|---|
| Housing | 31% higher |
| Energy | 34% higher |
| Food | 12% lower |
| Healthcare | 1% lower |
| Transportation | 6% higher |
Education Needs Serious Work
The Santa Ana Unified School District serves a diverse and large student population. However, it suffers from a significant lack in terms of performance and school quality.
Although three other school districts serve the area, if you are moving to Santa Ana or closer to the Santa Ana Unified School District, your options for quality education are reduced.
Limitations like this are why many people weigh living in Santa Ana pros and cons side-by-side. However, this major school district is one of the largest California has, and you will always find schools that are the right fit with excellent programs.
You can check out some of these top-ranking schools in Santa Ana:
- Tustin Memorial Elementary School
- Panorama Elementary School
- Middle College High School
- Thomas Paine Elementary School
- Arroyo Elementary School
- Peters Canyon Elementary School
Jobs and Employment Opportunities are Within Reach
Living in Santa Ana is a lesson in financial prudence. You’ll actually have no choice but to seek out jobs that will help you afford the higher-than-average living costs here.
While Santa Ana is not a tech hub like Silicon Valley, it has a strong employment base in government and healthcare. Manufacturing and retail also share the front seat here, providing residents with ample job opportunities.
- Population: 310,539
- Median Household Income: $88,354
- Unemployment Rate: 3.8%
- Poverty Level: 11.1%
Another perk is Santa Ana’s central location. It puts you close to major job markets in Irvine, Anaheim, and Costa Mesa. But even if you work and earn only within the city, you still make a median household income higher than the national average.
Note:
Commutes are reasonable as well, by L.A. standards anyway. With Southern California’s sprawling network of freeways, you are rarely far from opportunity.
Reality Check on Crime Rate
Santa Ana does experience higher rates of property and violent crime compared to the national average.
On average, the crime rate is 20.04 per 1,000 residents, which is high. However, residents say that the incidents of crime are not evenly spread across the neighborhoods.
While the northwest is generally considered safer, the western part of the city experiences more incidents of crime.
For those who prioritize safety, where is the best place to live in Santa Ana? South Coast Metro and Floral Park are some of the best places when it comes to low reports or incidents of crime.
| per 1,000 Residents | Santa Ana Median | California Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 5.52 | 5.08 | 4.0 |
| Property Crime | 19.81 | 23.26 | 19.0 |
Note:
Community policing programs by local authorities have led to an improvement in safety in recent years. Some areas in Santa Ana are quiet, safe, and family-friendly, while others are still working through challenges.
Sunny is the Default Setting on the Weather
If you like sunshine, you are going to love Santa Ana. Living in Santa Ana means enjoying the classic Southern California.
The winters are mild, summers are hot, and there’s very little rain. Average summer temperature highs hang in the mid-80s, while winters rarely drop below 48°F.
It means more days outside, more beach weekends, and no need to own a snow shovel.
The Average Seasonal Temperature in Santa Ana
- Winter — 58°F
- Fall — 69°F
- Spring — 62°F
- Summer — 72°F
The Social Life and Culture is Unexpectedly Fun
Thanks to the balance between historical heritage and modern development, Santa Ana’s social and cultural scene is lively.
Downtown Santa Ana district, for instance, is packed with coffee shops, breweries, art galleries, and live music venues. All contributing to making living in Santa Ana feel like a step into a cultural mosaic.
The Hispanic and Latino population brings their unique flavor to the architecture, food, and festivals. Monthly events, such as the First Saturday Artwalk, are a strong push for the arts and creatives in the city.
It’s food scene? Phenomenal! With authentic Mexican cuisine reigning supreme. However, you will not lack Vietnamese pho, Korean BBQ, and new-wave taco joints that experiment with flavors you didn’t know you needed.
Some of the best places to visit in Santa Ana include:
- Santa Ana Zoo to ride the Zoofari Express and explore the rainforest exhibit.
- Bowers Museum to enjoy world-class exhibits focused on global cultures, especially art from Native American, African, and Asian traditions.
- Discovery Cube Orange County, a science museum perfect for curious kids interested in interactive exhibits on space, physics, and environmental science.
- Jerome Park and Santiago Park to enjoy open green spaces, picnic with friends, hike trails, or hop on a bike for a scenic ride.
Santa Ana: You’ve Seen the Map—Now Step Into the Experience
Santa Ana is community-oriented and full of potential. The economy is stable, and you get to live near the center of areas where it all happens.
Living in Santa Ana sure comes without the price tag of L.A. and the polish of Irvine. Plus, if you seek a diverse city with great food, warm weather, and access to both beach and mountain getaways, Santa Ana might just surprise you in the best way possible.
Just be prepared for the cost implications, as Santa Ana is one of the more expensive cities in California.