salaryMesa is 10% cheaperBased on official 2024 price levels from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
I need in Santa Ana to live the same way.
🏠 Rent per month
$1,826
$2,654
🛏️ 2-bedroom rent
$1,712
$2,320
💵 Families earn per year
$89,248
$101,378
🔑 Buying a house
$408,000
$713,000
📊 Overall prices (U.S. = 100)
103.3
113.6
🏛️ Property tax per year
$1,604
$3,997
⚡ Electric bill per month
$168
$105
👥 People living there
511,764
312,534
Commute to work
24.7 min
24.5 min
College degree
32.5%
18.3%
Own their home
64.4%
44.6%
Below poverty line
10.3%
10.8%
Unemployment
4.2%
4.8%
Bottom line
- Pick Mesa for lower rent, cheaper 2-bedroom apartments, cheaper homes and 3 more.
- Pick Santa Ana for higher incomes, shorter commutes.
Pay for the same job
| Job | Mesa | Santa Ana | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher | $59,180 | $101,860 | +72% in Santa Ana |
| Firefighter | $61,780 | $98,050 | +59% in Santa Ana |
| Police Officer | $85,050 | $121,980 | +43% in Santa Ana |
| Lawyer | $135,670 | $194,410 | +43% in Santa Ana |
| Registered Nurse | $100,830 | $135,560 | +34% in Santa Ana |
| Operations Manager | $98,610 | $125,830 | +28% in Santa Ana |
| Carpenter | $60,320 | $75,740 | +26% in Santa Ana |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $47,530 | $35,850 | -25% in Santa Ana |
Frequently asked questions
Is Mesa or Santa Ana cheaper to live in?
Mesa is about 10% cheaper overall. Rent is $1,826 a month there versus $2,654 in Santa Ana.
What salary do I need in Santa Ana to match $60,000 in Mesa?
About $65,953 a year gives the same standard of living in Santa Ana.
Where do people earn more, Mesa or Santa Ana?
The typical household earns $89,248 in Mesa and $101,378 in Santa Ana, 12% more in Santa Ana.