Cost of Living: Santa Ana, CA vs Fort Collins, CO (2026)

Santa Ana

California
163
VS

Fort Collins

Colorado
137

Santa Ana is 19% more expensive than Fort Collins.

$1,975/mo ↑ 19%
Median Rent
$1,661/mo ↓ 16%
$88,354/yr ↑ 6%
Median Income
$83,598/yr ↓ 5%
$657,800 ↑ 20%
Home Value
$548,400 ↓ 17%
$1,965/mo ↑ 16%
Owner Costs
$1,692/mo ↓ 14%
311,639
Population
169,705

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
4.4%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
2.9%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.51%

Affordability

26.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Ana, CA and Fort Collins, CO, the overall cost of living indices are 163 and 137 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $314/month cheaper in Fort Collins, saving renters about $3,768/year.

Median household income is $4,756/year higher in Santa Ana. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Ana is $657,800 compared to $548,400 in Fort Collins.

Colorado has a lower income tax rate, making Fort Collins slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Ana vs Fort Collins — common questions

Is Santa Ana or Fort Collins cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fort Collins is cheaper to live in with an index of 137 compared to 163 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Ana and Fort Collins?
Median rent in Santa Ana is $1,975/month and in Fort Collins it's $1,661/month — a difference of $314/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Ana or Fort Collins?
Median household income is $88,354 in Santa Ana and $83,598 in Fort Collins. Median household income is $4,756/year higher in Santa Ana.
How do taxes compare between California and Colorado?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Colorado has 4.4% income tax, 2.9% sales tax, and 0.51% property tax.
Should I move to Santa Ana or Fort Collins?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Ana has a cost index of 163 with median rent of $1,975/mo, while Fort Collins has a cost index of 137 with rent of $1,661/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Santa Ana details → View Fort Collins details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Santa Ana and Fort Collins

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 Fort Collins vs. Lancaster Fort Collins vs. Springfield Fort Collins vs. Pembroke Pines Fort Collins vs. Palmdale Fort Collins vs. Garden Grove Fort Collins vs. Salinas