City comparison
No. Santa Ana's crime index is 107 versus 132 in Arlington, and its violent crime index is 121 versus 130, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Arlington is cheaper. Median rent is $1,470 a month versus $2,082 in Santa Ana.
The cost gap between Arlington and Santa Ana is the real story here. Arlington comes in 29% cheaper on typical rent ($1,470 vs $2,082), which over a year adds up to $7,344. Median household income runs $75,171 in Arlington and $93,999 in Santa Ana.
This is a genuine split. Arlington wins on cost of living and Santa Ana wins on the job market and safety. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Arlington at $1,470 average has pockets that run $1,270 and others at $1,870: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Arlington and Santa Ana are 1,200 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,470 a month in Arlington to $2,082 a month in Santa Ana, up $612 a month (42%).
Median household income goes from $75,171 in Arlington to $93,999 in Santa Ana, up $18,828 (25%).
The crime index goes from 132 in Arlington to 107 in Santa Ana, down 25 points (19%).
The move
Santa Ana and Arlington are 1,200 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,082 a month in Santa Ana to $1,470 a month in Arlington, down $612 a month (29%).
Median household income goes from $93,999 in Santa Ana to $75,171 in Arlington, down $18,828 (20%).
The crime index goes from 107 in Santa Ana to 132 in Arlington, up 25 points (23%).
Arlington, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Santa Ana, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Arlington and Santa Ana? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
29% cheaper
Arlington rent is 29% cheaper than Santa Ana
Arlington
Winner$1,470/mo
Santa Ana
$2,082/mo
Typical rent runs $1,470 a month in Arlington versus $2,082 in Santa Ana, so Arlington is 29% cheaper. That's roughly $612/month back in your pocket ($7,344/year). Over five years that's $36,720 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Santa Ana, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Arlington is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Santa Ana? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
25% higher
Santa Ana's median income is 25% higher than Arlington
Arlington
$75,171
Santa Ana
Winner$93,999
Median household income is $93,999 in Santa Ana versus $75,171 in Arlington, so typical pay runs 25% higher in Santa Ana (about $18,828 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Santa Ana is the stronger labor market on paper. Arlington can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
19% lower crime
Santa Ana's crime index is 19% lower than Arlington
Arlington
132 (100 = avg)
Santa Ana
Winner107 (100 = avg)
Santa Ana's crime index is 107 versus 132 in Arlington (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 19% lower in Santa Ana. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Santa Ana is the easier city. Arlington can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Arlington and Santa Ana are about even on typical weather.
Arlington
67°F avg · 74°F highs · comfort 100/100
Santa Ana
77°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
Arlington averages about 67°F (74°F highs); Santa Ana averages about 77°F (83°F highs). Arlington sits near 67°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Santa Ana sits near 77°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Arlington
Arlington is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 29% cheaper here at about $1,470 a month. Choose Arlington if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Santa Ana is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 25% higher here ($93,999). Start with Santa Ana if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Santa Ana is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 19% lower than Arlington (107 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Bottom line
Santa Ana runs $2,082/month while Arlington sits at $1,470 — roughly 29% lower on typical leases. Unless your offer letter is Santa Ana-sized, that monthly gap compounds fast.
Arlington rent at $1,470/month is still below Santa Ana's $2,082, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 52/100 in Arlington and 58/100 in Santa Ana.
Between Arlington and Santa Ana, Arlington is ahead on housing cost — $1,470/month rent against $2,082. Lean Santa Ana instead when your $93,999 income offer in Santa Ana outweighs saving $612/month in Arlington.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Arlington and Santa Ana, plus other cities in TX and CA.
