Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Santa Ana to New York
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, Santa Ana has a higher median household income ($93,999) than New York City ($80,483), but NYC has a lower median gross rent ($1,821 vs. $2,082). Santa Ana’s median home value is lower ($713,000 vs. $777,600), and its commute is shorter (27 vs. 44 minutes). NYC applies a simplified 5.50% state income tax in the model, while Santa Ana’s state tax is excluded per data boundaries. These factors create a trade-off: Santa Ana offers higher income and shorter commutes but higher rents; NYC offers lower rents and home values relative to income, longer commutes, and a modeled tax burden. Neither city dominates across all metrics.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to New York → Santa AnaMoving from Santa Ana to New York
Median Rent Impact
-$261/mo
Moving to New York saves ~$3,132/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+5.5%
~$5,500 more state tax on a $100k salary in New York.
Daily Commute Difference
+17 min / day
Difference of ~142 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
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Search all 32,330 U.S. Census places directly below.Instant results use official 2024 ACS place data. Places with incomplete required signals remain visible in search but cannot be selected.
Directional estimate using ACS citywide benchmarks. Verified profiles may include a simplified state-tax reference; automatically added profiles exclude state tax until an official reference is approved. Exact tax, benefits, debt, housing, insurance, and personal circumstances may materially change the result.
LIVE VERDICTSAN → NYC
50/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$9,356after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainThe deepest employment market and largest-city scale in the reviewed cohort
Watch closelyThe cohort's longest commute estimate plus a separate New York City resident income tax
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, New York is about $3,132 lower per year. This is not a verdict by itself: replace city medians with the actual offer, address, household, benefits, insurance, and tax details before deciding.
Santa Ana household income$93,999
New York household income$80,483
Santa Ana gross rent$2,082
New York gross rent$1,821
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Santa Ana | New York |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 312,534 | 8,483,844 |
| Median household income | $93,999 | $80,483 |
| Median gross rent | $2,082 | $1,821 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $713,000 | $777,600 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 5.5% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 27 minutes in Santa Ana and 44 minutes in New York. This citywide estimate cannot capture a specific route, remote-work schedule, or transit choice, so the calculator converts it into an explicit time difference instead of hiding it in a subjective lifestyle score.
Decision checklist
- Median household income
- Median gross rent
- Median owner-occupied home value
- One-way commute time
- Modeled state income tax
What each city wins
Santa Ana
Median rent consumes over a quarter of median income.. Watch higher home values may reflect long-term equity but increase entry barriers..
New York
The deepest employment market and largest-city scale in the reviewed cohort. Watch the cohort's longest commute estimate plus a separate new york city resident income tax.
Frequently asked questions
Which city has higher housing costs relative to income?
Santa Ana has a higher median gross rent ($2,082) compared to NYC ($1,821), and despite Santa Ana’s higher median income ($93,999 vs. $80,483), the rent-to-income ratio is slightly less favorable in Santa Ana when considering gross rent alone.
How do commute times compare between the two cities?
Santa Ana residents have a significantly shorter estimated one-way commute of 27 minutes, while New York City residents face a longer average commute of 44 minutes, based on 2024 ACS weighted midpoint calculations from table B08303.
Source boundary: Core figures come from the 2024 ACS five-year tables linked on each city profile. Commute is derived from B08303 midpoint weighting. A state-tax value without an approved official reference is excluded and disclosed. This comparison becomes index-eligible only after its unique analysis clears the content quality gate.