Cost of Living: Santa Ana, CA vs West Palm Beach, FL (2026)

Santa Ana

California
163
VS

West Palm Beach

Florida
119

Santa Ana is 37% more expensive than West Palm Beach.

$1,975/mo ↑ 16%
Median Rent
$1,709/mo ↓ 13%
$88,354/yr ↑ 28%
Median Income
$69,261/yr ↓ 22%
$657,800 ↑ 78%
Home Value
$369,800 ↓ 44%
$1,965/mo ↑ 18%
Owner Costs
$1,667/mo ↓ 15%
311,639
Population
119,508

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

26.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
29.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Ana, CA and West Palm Beach, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 163 and 119 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $266/month cheaper in West Palm Beach, saving renters about $3,192/year.

Median household income is $19,093/year higher in Santa Ana. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Ana is $657,800 compared to $369,800 in West Palm Beach.

Florida has no state income tax, giving West Palm Beach residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Ana vs West Palm Beach — common questions

Is Santa Ana or West Palm Beach cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, West Palm Beach is cheaper to live in with an index of 119 compared to 163 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Ana and West Palm Beach?
Median rent in Santa Ana is $1,975/month and in West Palm Beach it's $1,709/month — a difference of $266/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Ana or West Palm Beach?
Median household income is $88,354 in Santa Ana and $69,261 in West Palm Beach. Median household income is $19,093/year higher in Santa Ana.
How do taxes compare between California and Florida?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Santa Ana or West Palm Beach?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Ana has a cost index of 163 with median rent of $1,975/mo, while West Palm Beach has a cost index of 119 with rent of $1,709/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Santa Ana details → View West Palm Beach details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Santa Ana and West Palm Beach

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 West Palm Beach vs. Hartford West Palm Beach vs. Spring Hill West Palm Beach vs. Fairfield West Palm Beach vs. Wilmington West Palm Beach vs. Berkeley West Palm Beach vs. Billings