San Francisco vs Santa Ana
Cost of Living (2026)

Santa Ana is 33% more affordable than San Francisco.

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At a glance

San Francisco, CA

COL index224
State income tax9.3%
Avg 1BR rent$3,600/mo
Median home price$1350K
VS

Santa Ana, CA

COL index150 ✓
State income tax9.3%
Avg 1BR rent$2,100/mo ✓
Median home price$720K ✓

Cost breakdown by category

CategorySan Francisco indexSanta Ana indexDifference
Housing297198 ✓-99%
Groceries209141 ✓-68%
Transportation205140 ✓-65%
Healthcare215145 ✓-70%
Utilities193135 ✓-58%

Source: C2ER Cost of Living Index 2026. Index = 100 is US average. ✓ indicates lower cost. How we calculate this →

Salary equivalency: San Francisco → Santa Ana

What salary in Santa Ana gives you the same purchasing power as your San Francisco salary?

Salary in San FranciscoEquivalent in Santa AnaDifference
$60,000$40,000$-20,000
$80,000$54,000$-26,000
$100,000$67,000$-33,000
$130,000$87,000$-43,000
$150,000$100,000$-50,000
$200,000$134,000$-66,000

San Francisco vs Santa Ana: Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)

When comparing the cost of living between San Francisco, CA and Santa Ana, CA, Santa Ana comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 150 versus 224 for San Francisco — a difference of approximately 33%.

State income tax impact

San Francisco workers pay 9.3% California state income tax, while Santa Ana workers pay 9.3%.

Housing costs

The median home price in San Francisco is $1,350,000, compared to $720,000 in Santa Ana. Average 1-bedroom rent is $3,600/month in San Francisco versus $2,100/month in Santa Ana.

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