CostIndexUSA

Santa Ana, CA vs Tucson, AZ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Santa Ana
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent
More AffordableAZ
Tucson
96.9
overall index
$1,475/mo rent

Tucson is moderately cheaper than Santa Ana — 14.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Santa Ana, you would need $68,200 in Tucson. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing46.1%
Santa Ana
170.4
Tucson
91.8
🛒 Groceries9.8%
Santa Ana
106.6
Tucson
96.2
🚗 Transportation4.4%
Santa Ana
109.6
Tucson
104.8
🏥 Healthcare4.3%
Santa Ana
99.1
Tucson
94.8
Utilities43.6%
Santa Ana
158.6
Tucson
89.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Tucson, AZ
$68,200
$11,800 less needed in Tucson

Formula: salary × (96.9 ÷ 113.6) = salary × 0.8530. 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×

Tucson, AZ

Median Home Price
$338,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,475
Housing Index
91.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.1×

Santa Ana has 46.1% lower housing costs compared to Tucson.

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

Tucson, AZ

Median Household Income
$69,800
Per Capita Income
$39,800
Unemployment Rate
4.6%
Population
542,629
Top Industries
MilitaryEducationHealthcareTourismManufacturing

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)

Tucson, AZ
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

75% 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.