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

Santa Ana

California
163
VS

College Station

Texas
91

Santa Ana is 79% more expensive than College Station.

$1,975/mo ↑ 69%
Median Rent
$1,168/mo ↓ 41%
$88,354/yr ↑ 71%
Median Income
$51,776/yr ↓ 41%
$657,800 ↑ 101%
Home Value
$326,500 ↓ 50%
$1,965/mo ↑ 57%
Owner Costs
$1,251/mo ↓ 36%
311,639
Population
122,280

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
27.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Ana, CA and College Station, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 163 and 91 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $807/month cheaper in College Station, saving renters about $9,684/year.

Median household income is $36,578/year higher in Santa Ana. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Ana is $657,800 compared to $326,500 in College Station.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Ana vs College Station — common questions

Is Santa Ana or College Station cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, College Station is cheaper to live in with an index of 91 compared to 163 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Ana and College Station?
Median rent in Santa Ana is $1,975/month and in College Station it's $1,168/month — a difference of $807/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Ana or College Station?
Median household income is $88,354 in Santa Ana and $51,776 in College Station. Median household income is $36,578/year higher in Santa Ana.
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 College Station?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Ana has a cost index of 163 with median rent of $1,975/mo, while College Station has a cost index of 91 with rent of $1,168/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Santa Ana details → View College Station details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Santa Ana and College Station

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 College Station vs. Clovis College Station vs. Independence College Station vs. Arvada College Station vs. Rochester College Station vs. Concord College Station vs. Lafayette