CostIndexUSA

Fremont, CA vs Santa Ana, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Fremont
115.6
overall index
$3,075/mo rent
More AffordableCA
Santa Ana
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent

Santa Ana is slightly cheaper than Fremont — 1.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Fremont, you would need $78,600 in Santa Ana. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing12.5%
Fremont
194.7
Santa Ana
170.4
🛒 Groceries1.8%
Fremont
108.5
Santa Ana
106.6
🚗 Transportation1.7%
Fremont
111.5
Santa Ana
109.6
🏥 Healthcare1.8%
Fremont
100.9
Santa Ana
99.1
Utilities8.1%
Fremont
172.6
Santa Ana
158.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Fremont to see what you'd need to earn in Santa Ana to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Santa Ana, CA
$78,600
$1,400 less needed in Santa Ana

Formula: salary × (113.6 ÷ 115.6) = salary × 0.9827. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Fremont, CA

Median Home Price
$1,090,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,075
Housing Index
194.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
29.5×

Santa Ana, CA

Median Home Price
$565,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,550
Housing Index
170.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Fremont has 12.5% lower housing costs compared to Santa Ana.

Income & Job Market

Fremont, CA

Median Household Income
$127,800
Per Capita Income
$72,800
Unemployment Rate
5%
Population
230,504
Top Industries
TechnologyManufacturingHealthcareRetailEducation

Santa Ana, CA

Median Household Income
$92,000
Per Capita Income
$52,400
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
Population
310,227
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingRetailEducationFinance

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Fremont, CA
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

71% of income left after rent (median)

Santa Ana, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.