Cost of Living: Santa Ana, CA vs Fayetteville, NC (2026)

Santa Ana

California
163
VS

Fayetteville

North Carolina
73

Santa Ana is 123% more expensive than Fayetteville.

$1,975/mo ↑ 68%
Median Rent
$1,179/mo ↓ 40%
$88,354/yr ↑ 57%
Median Income
$56,395/yr ↓ 36%
$657,800 ↑ 283%
Home Value
$171,900 ↓ 74%
$1,965/mo ↑ 70%
Owner Costs
$1,156/mo ↓ 41%
311,639
Population
209,692

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
4.5%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

26.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Ana, CA and Fayetteville, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 163 and 73 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $796/month cheaper in Fayetteville, saving renters about $9,552/year.

Median household income is $31,959/year higher in Santa Ana. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Ana is $657,800 compared to $171,900 in Fayetteville.

North Carolina has a lower income tax rate, making Fayetteville slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Ana vs Fayetteville — common questions

Is Santa Ana or Fayetteville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fayetteville is cheaper to live in with an index of 73 compared to 163 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Ana and Fayetteville?
Median rent in Santa Ana is $1,975/month and in Fayetteville it's $1,179/month — a difference of $796/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Ana or Fayetteville?
Median household income is $88,354 in Santa Ana and $56,395 in Fayetteville. Median household income is $31,959/year higher in Santa Ana.
How do taxes compare between California and North Carolina?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Santa Ana or Fayetteville?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Ana has a cost index of 163 with median rent of $1,975/mo, while Fayetteville has a cost index of 73 with rent of $1,179/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Santa Ana details → View Fayetteville details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Santa Ana and Fayetteville

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 Fayetteville vs. Rochester Fayetteville vs. Yonkers Fayetteville vs. Frisco Fayetteville vs. Cape Coral Fayetteville vs. Moreno Valley Fayetteville vs. Worcester