Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Santa Ana to Phoenix
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, Santa Ana has a higher median household income ($93,999 vs $81,332) and higher median home value ($713,000 vs $420,700) than Phoenix, but also higher median gross rent ($2,082 vs $1,582). Commute times are similar (27 vs 28 minutes). Phoenix applies a simplified 2.50% 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 earnings and home values but higher housing costs; Phoenix offers lower income and home values with lower rent and a modeled tax contribution.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Phoenix → Santa AnaMoving from Santa Ana to Phoenix
Median Rent Impact
-$500/mo
Moving to Phoenix saves ~$6,000/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+2.5%
~$2,500 more state tax on a $100k salary in Arizona.
Daily Commute Difference
+1 min / day
Difference of ~8 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
Adjust the assumptions. Every result updates instantly.
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 → PHX
67/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$15,584after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainA balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference
Watch closelyThe $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above Dallas despite similar commute time
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Phoenix is about $6,000 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
Phoenix household income$81,332
Santa Ana gross rent$2,082
Phoenix gross rent$1,582
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Santa Ana | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 312,534 | 1,642,323 |
| Median household income | $93,999 | $81,332 |
| Median gross rent | $2,082 | $1,582 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $713,000 | $420,700 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 2.5% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 27 minutes in Santa Ana and 28 minutes in Phoenix. 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
- 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..
Phoenix
A balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference. Watch the $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above dallas despite similar commute time.
Frequently asked questions
Which city has higher housing costs relative to income?
Santa Ana has a higher median gross rent ($2,082) and median home value ($713,000) than Phoenix ($1,582 rent, $420,700 value), despite also having a higher median income ($93,999 vs $81,332), indicating higher absolute housing costs in Santa Ana.
How do commute times compare between the two cities?
The derived one-way commute estimate is 27 minutes for Santa Ana and 28 minutes for Phoenix, based on weighted midpoints from the 2024 ACS table B08303, showing nearly equivalent commute durations.
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.