Mesa, AZ 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.
Mesa
67
#1475 nationally
Santa Ana
63.6
#1759 nationally
Santa Ana leads in walk score (55 vs 38). Mesa leads in cost of living index (112 vs 138). Mesa leads in average commute (24.8 min vs 26.8 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Santa Ana, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67 (#1475) | 63.6 (#1759) |
| Population | 511,648 | 310,227 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $433,754 | $869,263 |
| Median Household Income | $73,766 | $72,458 |
| Average Commute | 24.8 min | 26.8 min |
| Walk Score | 38 | 55 |
| Crime Level | 13.2 | Moderate |
| School Rating | N/A | 5.4 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 138 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+3.5 | D+2.6 |
D+
67 Score
Mesa, AZ
Major Arizona city with a diverse economy
Median Home
$433,754
Population
511,648
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
38
Southwest
View Mesa, AZ →
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 →