Santa Ana vs Little Rock: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Santa Ana, California compare to Little Rock, Arkansas? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Little Rock is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 203% higher in Santa Ana compared to Little Rock, while rent is 87% higher. State income tax is 13.3% in CA vs 4.4% in AR.
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Little Rock, AR | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $624,000 | $205,800 | +203.2% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,885 | $1,006 | +87.4% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $84,210 | $58,697 | +43.5% |
| Per Capita Income | $27,328 | $42,616 | -35.9% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 13.3% | 4.4% | +202.3% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 8.7% | 9.4% | -8.1% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 311,379 | 202,218 | +54.0% |
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 — 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.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Little Rock
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 Santa Ana costs $624,000 compared to $205,800 in Little Rock — a 203% premium.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,885/mo in Santa Ana vs $1,006/mo in Little Rock.
- Income: Median household income is $84,210 in Santa Ana and $58,697 in Little Rock.
- Taxes: State income tax is 13.3% in California vs 4.4% in Arkansas.
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).