Plano, TX 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.
Plano
72.6
#865 nationally
Santa Ana
63.6
#1759 nationally
Plano leads in school rating (8.5 vs 5.4). Santa Ana leads in walk score (55 vs 39). Plano leads in median household income ($99,936 vs $72,458).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Plano, TX | Santa Ana, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.6 (#865) | 63.6 (#1759) |
| Population | 287,339 | 310,227 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $499,723 | $869,263 |
| Median Household Income | $99,936 | $72,458 |
| Average Commute | 27.6 min | 26.8 min |
| Walk Score | 39 | 55 |
| Crime Level | Low | Moderate |
| School Rating | 8.5 | 5.4 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 138 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+11.2 | D+2.6 |
C-
72.6 Score
Plano, TX
Corporate opportunity meets family-friendly living
Median Home
$499,723
Population
287,339
Crime
Low
Schools
A
Southwest
View Plano, TX →
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 →