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

Santa Ana

California
163
VS

Pearland

Texas
121

Santa Ana is 35% more expensive than Pearland.

$1,975/mo ↑ 12%
Median Rent
$1,759/mo ↓ 11%
$88,354/yr ↓ 21%
Median Income
$112,470/yr ↑ 27%
$657,800 ↑ 99%
Home Value
$330,900 ↓ 50%
$1,965/mo ≈ Same
Owner Costs
$1,962/mo ≈ Same
311,639
Population
125,983

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
18.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Ana, CA and Pearland, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 163 and 121 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $216/month cheaper in Pearland, saving renters about $2,592/year.

Median household income is $24,116/year higher in Pearland. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Ana is $657,800 compared to $330,900 in Pearland.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Ana vs Pearland — common questions

Is Santa Ana or Pearland cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Pearland is cheaper to live in with an index of 121 compared to 163 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Ana and Pearland?
Median rent in Santa Ana is $1,975/month and in Pearland it's $1,759/month — a difference of $216/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Ana or Pearland?
Median household income is $88,354 in Santa Ana and $112,470 in Pearland. Median household income is $24,116/year higher in Pearland.
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 Pearland?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Ana has a cost index of 163 with median rent of $1,975/mo, while Pearland has a cost index of 121 with rent of $1,759/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Santa Ana details → View Pearland details →

More Comparisons

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