CostIndexUSA

Provo, UT vs Santa Ana, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableUT
Provo
98.2
overall index
$1,750/mo rent
CA
Santa Ana
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent

Provo is significantly cheaper than Santa Ana — 15.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Provo, you would need $92,500 in Santa Ana. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+63.7%
Provo
104.1
Santa Ana
170.4
🛒 Groceries+10.6%
Provo
96.4
Santa Ana
106.6
🚗 Transportation+5.5%
Provo
103.9
Santa Ana
109.6
🏥 Healthcare+5.4%
Provo
94
Santa Ana
99.1
Utilities+101.8%
Provo
78.6
Santa Ana
158.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Santa Ana, CA
$92,500
$12,500 more needed in Santa Ana

Formula: salary × (113.6 ÷ 98.2) = salary × 1.1568. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Provo, UT

Median Home Price
$534,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,750
Housing Index
104.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
25.4×

Santa Ana, CA

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

Santa Ana has 63.7% higher housing costs compared to Provo.

Income & Job Market

Provo, UT

Median Household Income
$100,800
Per Capita Income
$57,500
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
Population
116,288
Top Industries
TechnologyEducationHealthcareManufacturingFinance

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).

Provo, UT
4.8×income-to-rent ratio

79% 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.