CostIndexUSA

Santa Ana, CA vs Seattle, WA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Santa Ana
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent
More AffordableWA
Seattle
111.1
overall index
$2,175/mo rent

Seattle is slightly cheaper than Santa Ana — 2.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Santa Ana, you would need $78,200 in Seattle. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing11.2%
Santa Ana
170.4
Seattle
151.3
🛒 Groceries2.4%
Santa Ana
106.6
Seattle
104
🚗 Transportation+2.4%
Santa Ana
109.6
Seattle
112.2
🏥 Healthcare+2.4%
Santa Ana
99.1
Seattle
101.5
Utilities41.5%
Santa Ana
158.6
Seattle
92.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Seattle, WA
$78,200
$1,800 less needed in Seattle

Formula: salary × (111.1 ÷ 113.6) = salary × 0.9780. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Santa Ana, CA

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

Seattle, WA

Median Home Price
$730,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,175
Housing Index
151.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
28.0×

Santa Ana has 11.2% lower housing costs compared to Seattle.

Income & Job Market

Santa Ana, CA

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

Seattle, WA

Median Household Income
$110,700
Per Capita Income
$63,100
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
737,255
Top Industries
TechnologyAerospaceHealthcareRetailLogistics

Affordability at a Glance

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

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

67% of income left after rent (median)

Seattle, WA
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.