Everything You Should Know Before Moving to Santa Ana, CA
Thinking of moving to Santa Ana, CA? With a vibrant population of over 310,000, Santa Ana offers a lively, diverse community and a sunny, Mediterranean climate with 72% sunny days annually. The median home price stands at $655,000 and average rent for a two-bedroom is about $2,150, reflecting Orange County’s higher cost of living. Commute times average 27 minutes, and residents enjoy access to local colleges and hospitals. While crime rates are higher than national averages, Santa Ana’s cultural richness, convenient location, and year-round mild weather make it an exciting choice for new arrivals.
Demographics - Santa Ana, CA
Demographics - Santa Ana, CA
Santa Ana is home to over 310,000 residents, making it a densely populated and youthful city with a median age of 32.7. The community is predominantly Hispanic/Latino, and nearly 69% of residents speak a language other than English at home, highlighting the city’s vibrant multicultural atmosphere.
Population:
310,227
Density:
12,100 per sq mi
Median Age:
32.7
Gender Ratio:
104 males per 100 females
Non-English Speakers Percentage:
68.9%
Ethnic Composition
White:
10.3%
Black:
1.3%
Asian:
12.6%
Others:
75.8% (primarily Hispanic/Latino)
Cost Of Living
What is the average cost of living in Santa Ana, CA?
Living in Santa Ana means contending with a higher cost of living, with a median home value around $655,000 and average rents near $2,150 for a two-bedroom. Expenses like groceries and transportation also run above national averages, reflecting the city’s location in the heart of Orange County.
Median House Value:
$655,000
Gross Rent:
$2,150
Monthly Electricity Charges:
$140
Auto Insurance:
$1,800
House Owner Cost With Mortgage:
$2,950
House Owner Cost Without Mortgage:
$650
State Taxes:
Low:
1.0%
|
High:
13.3%
Cost Of Living Index:
148.7
Grocery:
113.2
Housing:
202.4
Utilities:
98.3
Transportation:
141.7
Health Care:
110.2
Miscellaneous:
109.2
Crime
Is Santa Ana, CA a safe place to live?
Santa Ana has a higher-than-average crime rate, with about 527 violent crimes and 1,977 property crimes per 100,000 residents. While the chance of being a victim of property crime is roughly 1 in 51, many neighborhoods remain close-knit and community-oriented.
Violent Crimes Per 100k:
527
Property Crimes Per 100k:
1,977
Crime Index:
2,504
Chance Of Violent Crime:
1 in 190
Chance Of Property Crime:
1 in 51
Weather
What is the weather like in Santa Ana, CA year-round?
Santa Ana boasts a mild, Mediterranean climate with pleasant temperatures year-round, ranging from winter lows in the mid-40s to summer highs in the mid-80s. The city enjoys 72% sunny days annually and receives about 13.7 inches of rainfall, making it ideal for those who appreciate consistent, sunny weather.
Winter
Min:
46°F
Max:
69°F
Spring
Min:
52°F
Max:
75°F
Summer
Min:
62°F
Max:
85°F
Fall
Min:
55°F
Max:
79°F
Average Rainfall Inches:
13.7 inches
Sunny Days Percentage:
72%
Neighbors
Residents of Santa Ana typically have a household income of around $78,900, with a poverty rate of 15%. The area is diverse and family-oriented, and most people commute about 27 minutes to work, while a small percentage rely on public transportation.
Median Income:
$41,000
Household Income:
$78,900
Family Income:
$83,250
Per Capita Income:
$24,800
Income Male:
$35,100
Income Female:
$28,900
Poverty Rate:
15.0%
Non English Speakers:
68.9%
Rent:
$2,150
Unemployment Rate:
4.8%
Public Transport Usage:
4.9%
Commute Time:
27.3 minutes
Education
High School or Higher:
65.0%
Bachelors or More:
16.8%
Education
How are the schools in Santa Ana, CA?
Santa Ana provides a range of educational opportunities, from public schools like Saddleback High to private institutions such as Mater Dei High School. The city is also home to Santa Ana College, and nearby universities like Cal State Fullerton offer higher education within easy reach.
Public Schools
Name:
Middle College High School
Street:
1801 S Greenville St
Phone:
714-953-3900
Students:
450
Student Teacher Ratio:
22:1
Name:
Saddleback High School
Street:
2802 S Flower St
Phone:
714-569-6300
Students:
1,800
Student Teacher Ratio:
24:1
Private Schools
Name:
Mater Dei High School
Street:
1202 W Edinger Ave
Phone:
714-754-7711
Students:
2,100
Colleges
Name:
Santa Ana College
City:
Santa Ana
State:
CA
Distance:
0 miles
Students:
26,000
Name:
California State University, Fullerton
City:
Fullerton
State:
CA
Distance:
7 miles
Students:
41,400
Healthcare
Santa Ana offers reliable healthcare options, including major hospitals like OC Global Medical Center and South Coast Global Medical Center. Most residents are covered by health insurance, and there are about 2.6 physicians per 1,000 people, supporting access to essential medical services.
Major Hospitals
Name:
OC Global Medical Center
Address:
1001 N Tustin Ave, Santa Ana, CA 92705
Phone:
(714) 953-3500
Type:
General & Surgical
Emergency Services:
Yes
Name:
South Coast Global Medical Center
Address:
2701 S Bristol St, Santa Ana, CA 92704
Phone:
(714) 754-5454
Type:
General & Surgical
Emergency Services:
Yes
Physicians Per 1000:
2.6
Health Insurance Coverage:
86.2%
Health Care Index:
74.1
Housing Market
What is the housing market like in Santa Ana, CA?
The local housing market is competitive, with a median home price of $655,000 and average two-bedroom rents at $2,150. About 46% of homes are owner-occupied, and the city has experienced home value appreciation of over 6% in the past year.
Median Home Price:
$655,000
Average Rent For 2 Bedroom:
$2,150
Owner Occupied Rate:
46.0%
Rental Vacancy Rate:
4.5%
Home Appreciation Rate (1yr):
6.3%
New Construction Rate:
1.5%
Foreclosure Rate:
0.3%
DMV Information
Santa Ana’s DMV office, operated by the California Department of Motor Vehicles, is conveniently located on East First Street. Residents can access standard vehicle registration and licensing services both in-person and online through the official DMV website.
State:
California
Department:
California Department of Motor Vehicles
Address:
1330 E First St, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Phone:
1-800-777-0133
Website:
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is based on publicly available sources including AccuWeather, U.S. Census Bureau, local government data, and third-party partners such as Neustar. While we strive to ensure accuracy, all data is provided “as is” and should be independently verified before making any decisions. Movers.com makes no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the information.