Cost of Living: Santa Ana, CA vs Kent, WA (2026)

Santa Ana

California
163
VS

Kent

Washington
145

Santa Ana is 12% more expensive than Kent.

$1,975/mo ↑ 8%
Median Rent
$1,833/mo ↓ 7%
$88,354/yr ↓ 2%
Median Income
$90,416/yr ↑ 2%
$657,800 ↑ 22%
Home Value
$537,500 ↓ 18%
$1,965/mo ↑ 3%
Owner Costs
$1,915/mo ↓ 3%
311,639
Population
135,015

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.5%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.92%

Affordability

26.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Ana, CA and Kent, WA, the overall cost of living indices are 163 and 145 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $142/month cheaper in Kent, saving renters about $1,704/year.

Median household income is $2,062/year higher in Kent. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Ana is $657,800 compared to $537,500 in Kent.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Ana vs Kent — common questions

Is Santa Ana or Kent cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Kent is cheaper to live in with an index of 145 compared to 163 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Ana and Kent?
Median rent in Santa Ana is $1,975/month and in Kent it's $1,833/month — a difference of $142/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Ana or Kent?
Median household income is $88,354 in Santa Ana and $90,416 in Kent. Median household income is $2,062/year higher in Kent.
How do taxes compare between California and Washington?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Washington has 0% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax.
Should I move to Santa Ana or Kent?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Ana has a cost index of 163 with median rent of $1,975/mo, while Kent has a cost index of 145 with rent of $1,833/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Santa Ana details → View Kent details →

More Comparisons

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