Cost of Living: Santa Ana, CA vs Salt Lake City, UT (2026)

Santa Ana

California
163
VS

Salt Lake City

Utah
117

Santa Ana is 39% more expensive than Salt Lake City.

$1,975/mo ↑ 47%
Median Rent
$1,343/mo ↓ 32%
$88,354/yr ↑ 18%
Median Income
$74,925/yr ↓ 15%
$657,800 ↑ 33%
Home Value
$495,700 ↓ 25%
$1,965/mo ↑ 41%
Owner Costs
$1,394/mo ↓ 29%
311,639
Population
203,888

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
4.65%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.1%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.58%

Affordability

26.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Ana, CA and Salt Lake City, UT, the overall cost of living indices are 163 and 117 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $632/month cheaper in Salt Lake City, saving renters about $7,584/year.

Median household income is $13,429/year higher in Santa Ana. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Ana is $657,800 compared to $495,700 in Salt Lake City.

Utah has a lower income tax rate, making Salt Lake City slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Ana vs Salt Lake City — common questions

Is Santa Ana or Salt Lake City cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Salt Lake City is cheaper to live in with an index of 117 compared to 163 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Ana and Salt Lake City?
Median rent in Santa Ana is $1,975/month and in Salt Lake City it's $1,343/month — a difference of $632/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Ana or Salt Lake City?
Median household income is $88,354 in Santa Ana and $74,925 in Salt Lake City. Median household income is $13,429/year higher in Santa Ana.
How do taxes compare between California and Utah?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Utah has 4.65% income tax, 6.1% sales tax, and 0.58% property tax.
Should I move to Santa Ana or Salt Lake City?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Ana has a cost index of 163 with median rent of $1,975/mo, while Salt Lake City has a cost index of 117 with rent of $1,343/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Santa Ana details → View Salt Lake City details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Santa Ana and Salt Lake City

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 Salt Lake City vs. Columbus Salt Lake City vs. Little Rock Salt Lake City vs. Worcester Salt Lake City vs. McKinney Salt Lake City vs. Cape Coral Salt Lake City vs. Augusta