Santa Ana, California
Heart of Orange County
U.S. News (2025)
#112 Best Places to Live
WalletHub (2024)
#45 Best Cities for Families
WhereAtHome Score
63.6
Dout of 100
Overview
Santa Ana is the county seat of Orange County, offering a more affordable entry point to the region. The city has a rich Latino cultural heritage, revitalizing downtown with arts and dining. Proximity to beaches, Disneyland, and employment centers adds to its appeal.
Key Highlights
- Most affordable Orange County city
- Rich Latino cultural heritage
- Revitalized downtown arts district
- Orange County seat with government jobs
- Central OC location
- Santa Ana Zoo and Bowers Museum
Key Metrics
2024 Presidential Election
Orange County (county-level results)
Source: County-level results from MIT Election Data + Science Lab. Learn more
Climate
Summer High
85°F
Winter Low
46°F
Annual Rainfall
13"
Sunny Days
281
Amenities & Infrastructure
45+ Parks
Green spaces and recreation
3 Major Hospitals
Healthcare access
1 Universities
Higher education institutions
Public Transit Available
Bus, rail, or metro service
Major Employers
Score Breakdown
6 of 6 score factors available. Missing factors are excluded and available weights are rescaled.
Median home value relative to national average (Weight: 20%)
How affordable housing is relative to local incomes (Weight: 20%)
Average commute time compared to national average (Weight: 15%)
Overall crime levels based on FBI crime statistics (Weight: 20%)
Walk Score — ease of daily errands on foot (Weight: 15%)
Median income relative to national average, adjusted for cost of living (Weight: 10%)
Location
Compare with another city
Start ComparisonLast Updated: 2026-07-01
Data sourced from U.S. Census Bureau, Zillow, FBI Crime Data Explorer, Walk Score, and Niche.
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