Last updated 2026-06-15 ยท MovePlan Editorial Team
Expensive, with dense Orange County housing the main cost driver.
Cost of living index (US avg = 100): 140
Median 2BR rent: $2,600/mo
Housing: 162 vs 100
Groceries: 108 vs 100
Utilities: 98 vs 100
Transportation: 114 vs 100
Healthcare: 104 vs 100
Santa Ana sits at the heart of Orange County, with a walkable downtown and high California housing costs. Rent is slightly below the priciest OC beach cities but still well above the national average.