Santa Ana vs Henderson: Cost of Living (2026)

A side-by-side comparison of Santa Ana, CA and Henderson, NV, using US Census Bureau data.

MetricSanta Ana, CAHenderson, NV
Population311,379318,063
Median household income$84,210$85,311
Median home value$624,000$427,900
Median rent (/mo)$1,885$1,641

Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.

Comparing Santa Ana, CA and Henderson, NV comes down to what you value most. Henderson has the lower median home value, and Henderson has the lower median rent.

Henderson has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.

Frequently asked questions

Is it cheaper to live in Santa Ana or Henderson?
By median home value, Henderson is the cheaper of the two ($427,900 vs $624,000). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
Which has higher salaries, Santa Ana or Henderson?
Median household income is $84,210 in Santa Ana versus $85,311 in Henderson, per the US Census Bureau.

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