salaryRent is higher than in 89% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 7.0 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Most households rent (55%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $106,160 a year. That is $51 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other California cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of California. It is number 425 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Santa Ana with other big cities
Compare Santa Ana to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Santa Ana?
Share of households by yearly income. 34.5% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Santa Ana
| Size | Santa Ana | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,669 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,921 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,320 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,725 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,871 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Santa Ana overall?
Everyday prices in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim metro area are 14% above the U.S. average (index 113.6, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Santa Ana
Life in Santa Ana
What jobs pay in Santa Ana
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $194,410 | 16.4% |
| Physician Assistant | $161,890 | 19.7% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $161,470 | 19.7% |
| Software Developer | $160,920 | 19.8% |
| Pharmacist | $157,440 | 20.2% |
| Registered Nurse | $135,560 | 23.5% |
| Operations Manager | $125,830 | 25.3% |
| Dental Hygienist | $122,980 | 25.9% |
| Police Officer | $121,980 | 26.1% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $121,560 | 26.2% |
| Civil Engineer | $108,640 | 29.3% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $101,860 | 31.3% |
| Firefighter | $98,050 | 32.5% |
| Accountant | $94,360 | 33.8% |
| Market Research Analyst | $82,990 | 38.4% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $79,310 | 40.2% |
| Carpenter | $75,740 | 42.0% |
| HVAC Technician | $73,830 | 43.1% |
| Electrician | $73,810 | 43.1% |
| Plumber | $71,110 | 44.8% |
| Truck Driver | $60,340 | 52.8% |
| Customer Service Representative | $48,840 | 65.2% |
| Medical Assistant | $47,760 | 66.7% |
| Nursing Assistant | $47,380 | 67.2% |
| Restaurant Cook | $44,460 | 71.6% |
| Warehouse Worker | $42,390 | 75.1% |
| Retail Salesperson | $37,700 | 84.5% |
| Cashier | $36,980 | 86.1% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $35,850 | 88.8% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Santa Ana?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $2,293 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $713,000 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $71,300 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Santa Ana, CA?
Renting in Santa Ana costs a median of about $2,654 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Santa Ana?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $106,160 a year, or $51 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Santa Ana cheap or expensive?
Santa Ana is rated Expensive: rent takes 31.4% of the typical household income of $101,378. It ranks 425th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Santa Ana?
The median homeowner in Santa Ana pays $3,997 a year in property taxes, about 0.56% of the median home value.
Is Santa Ana more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 14% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Santa Ana?
The median home value in Santa Ana is $713,000, about 7.0 times the typical yearly household income.
312,534 people live in Santa Ana. Numbers are typical (middle) values.