Cost of Living: Santa Ana, CA vs Carrollton, TX (2026)

Santa Ana

California
163
VS

Carrollton

Texas
116

Santa Ana is 41% more expensive than Carrollton.

$1,975/mo ↑ 18%
Median Rent
$1,674/mo ↓ 15%
$88,354/yr ↓ 11%
Median Income
$99,115/yr ↑ 12%
$657,800 ↑ 86%
Home Value
$353,600 ↓ 46%
$1,965/mo ↑ 16%
Owner Costs
$1,689/mo ↓ 14%
311,639
Population
132,741

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

26.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Ana, CA and Carrollton, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 163 and 116 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $301/month cheaper in Carrollton, saving renters about $3,612/year.

Median household income is $10,761/year higher in Carrollton. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Ana is $657,800 compared to $353,600 in Carrollton.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Carrollton residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Ana vs Carrollton — common questions

Is Santa Ana or Carrollton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Carrollton is cheaper to live in with an index of 116 compared to 163 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Ana and Carrollton?
Median rent in Santa Ana is $1,975/month and in Carrollton it's $1,674/month — a difference of $301/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Ana or Carrollton?
Median household income is $88,354 in Santa Ana and $99,115 in Carrollton. Median household income is $10,761/year higher in Carrollton.
How do taxes compare between California and Texas?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Santa Ana or Carrollton?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Ana has a cost index of 163 with median rent of $1,975/mo, while Carrollton has a cost index of 116 with rent of $1,674/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Santa Ana details → View Carrollton details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Santa Ana and Carrollton

Santa Ana vs. Orlando Santa Ana vs. Cincinnati Santa Ana vs. Riverside Santa Ana vs. Irvine Santa Ana vs. Corpus Christi Santa Ana vs. St. Paul Carrollton vs. New Haven Carrollton vs. Santa Clara Carrollton vs. Sterling Heights Carrollton vs. Fargo Carrollton vs. Coral Springs Carrollton vs. Norman