Cornelius, NC vs Santa Ana, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Cornelius
71.7
#962 nationally
Santa Ana
63.6
#1759 nationally
Santa Ana leads in walk score (55 vs 26). Cornelius leads in median household income ($107,969 vs $72,458). Cornelius leads in cost of living index (122 vs 138).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Cornelius, NC | Santa Ana, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 71.7 (#962) | 63.6 (#1759) |
| Population | 33,139 | 310,227 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $528,679 | $869,263 |
| Median Household Income | $107,969 | $72,458 |
| Average Commute | 25.6 min | 26.8 min |
| Walk Score | 26 | 55 |
| Crime Level | 2.8 | Moderate |
| School Rating | N/A | 5.4 |
| Cost of Living Index | 122 | 138 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+32.9 | D+2.6 |
C-
71.7 Score
Cornelius, NC
Small North Carolina city with local appeal
Median Home
$528,679
Population
33,139
Crime
Low
Walk Score
26
Southeast
View Cornelius, NC →
D
63.6 Score
Santa Ana, CA
Heart of Orange County
Median Home
$869,263
Population
310,227
Crime
Moderate
Schools
C
Pacific
View Santa Ana, CA →
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