Fullerton vs Santa Ana: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Fullerton, California compare to Santa Ana, California? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Santa Ana is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 27% higher in Fullerton compared to Santa Ana, while rent is 6% higher.
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $791,000 | $624,000 | +26.8% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,989 | $1,885 | +5.5% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $99,279 | $84,210 | +17.9% |
| Per Capita Income | $46,182 | $27,328 | +69.0% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 13.3% | 13.3% | same |
| Combined Sales Tax | 8.7% | 8.7% | same |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 142,280 | 311,379 | -54.3% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Fullerton
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Santa Ana
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Fullerton costs $791,000 compared to $624,000 in Santa Ana — a 27% premium.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,989/mo in Fullerton vs $1,885/mo in Santa Ana.
- Income: Median household income is $99,279 in Fullerton and $84,210 in Santa Ana.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).