CostIndexUSA

Newark, NJ vs Santa Ana, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableNJ
Newark
112.6
overall index
$3,225/mo rent
CA
Santa Ana
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent

Newark is slightly cheaper than Santa Ana — 0.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Newark, you would need $80,700 in Santa Ana. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+14.7%
Newark
148.6
Santa Ana
170.4
🛒 Groceries3.4%
Newark
110.3
Santa Ana
106.6
🚗 Transportation1.4%
Newark
111.1
Santa Ana
109.6
🏥 Healthcare1.4%
Newark
100.5
Santa Ana
99.1
Utilities+24.9%
Newark
127
Santa Ana
158.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Santa Ana, CA
$80,700
$700 more needed in Santa Ana

Formula: salary × (113.6 ÷ 112.6) = salary × 1.0089. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Newark, NJ

Median Home Price
$703,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,225
Housing Index
148.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.2×

Santa Ana, CA

Median Home Price
$565,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,550
Housing Index
170.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Santa Ana has 14.7% higher housing costs compared to Newark.

Income & Job Market

Newark, NJ

Median Household Income
$95,200
Per Capita Income
$54,300
Unemployment Rate
5.2%
Population
311,549
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingLogisticsGovernmentFinance

Santa Ana, CA

Median Household Income
$92,000
Per Capita Income
$52,400
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
Population
310,227
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingRetailEducationFinance

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Newark, NJ
2.5×income-to-rent ratio

59% of income left after rent (median)

Santa Ana, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% 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.