Cost of Living: Santa Ana, CA vs Clearwater, FL (2026)

Santa Ana

California
163
VS

Clearwater

Florida
105

Santa Ana is 55% more expensive than Clearwater.

$1,975/mo ↑ 28%
Median Rent
$1,539/mo ↓ 22%
$88,354/yr ↑ 37%
Median Income
$64,440/yr ↓ 27%
$657,800 ↑ 102%
Home Value
$326,100 ↓ 50%
$1,965/mo ↑ 39%
Owner Costs
$1,411/mo ↓ 28%
311,639
Population
117,075

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

26.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
28.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Ana, CA and Clearwater, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 163 and 105 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $436/month cheaper in Clearwater, saving renters about $5,232/year.

Median household income is $23,914/year higher in Santa Ana. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Ana is $657,800 compared to $326,100 in Clearwater.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Ana vs Clearwater — common questions

Is Santa Ana or Clearwater cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Clearwater is cheaper to live in with an index of 105 compared to 163 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Ana and Clearwater?
Median rent in Santa Ana is $1,975/month and in Clearwater it's $1,539/month — a difference of $436/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Ana or Clearwater?
Median household income is $88,354 in Santa Ana and $64,440 in Clearwater. Median household income is $23,914/year higher in Santa Ana.
How do taxes compare between California and Florida?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Santa Ana or Clearwater?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Ana has a cost index of 163 with median rent of $1,975/mo, while Clearwater has a cost index of 105 with rent of $1,539/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Santa Ana details → View Clearwater details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Santa Ana and Clearwater

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