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

Santa Ana

California
163
VS

Richardson

Texas
128

Santa Ana is 27% more expensive than Richardson.

$1,975/mo ↑ 8%
Median Rent
$1,825/mo ↓ 8%
$88,354/yr ↓ 8%
Median Income
$96,257/yr ↑ 9%
$657,800 ↑ 62%
Home Value
$405,600 ↓ 38%
$1,965/mo ↑ 9%
Owner Costs
$1,796/mo ↓ 9%
311,639
Population
118,269

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
22.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Ana, CA and Richardson, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 163 and 128 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $150/month cheaper in Richardson, saving renters about $1,800/year.

Median household income is $7,903/year higher in Richardson. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Ana is $657,800 compared to $405,600 in Richardson.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Ana vs Richardson — common questions

Is Santa Ana or Richardson cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Richardson is cheaper to live in with an index of 128 compared to 163 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Ana and Richardson?
Median rent in Santa Ana is $1,975/month and in Richardson it's $1,825/month — a difference of $150/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Ana or Richardson?
Median household income is $88,354 in Santa Ana and $96,257 in Richardson. Median household income is $7,903/year higher in Richardson.
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 Richardson?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Ana has a cost index of 163 with median rent of $1,975/mo, while Richardson has a cost index of 128 with rent of $1,825/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Santa Ana details → View Richardson details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Santa Ana and Richardson

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 Richardson vs. Billings Richardson vs. Cambridge Richardson vs. Wilmington Richardson vs. North Charleston Richardson vs. Spring Hill Richardson vs. Clearwater