Appleton, WI vs Santa Ana, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Appleton
77.6
#227 nationally
Santa Ana
63.6
#1759 nationally
Appleton leads in cost of living index (94 vs 138). Appleton leads in average commute (19.4 min vs 26.8 min). Santa Ana leads in walk score (55 vs 44).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Appleton, WI | Santa Ana, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 77.6 (#227) | 63.6 (#1759) |
| Population | 74,719 | 310,227 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $309,058 | $869,263 |
| Median Household Income | $75,469 | $72,458 |
| Average Commute | 19.4 min | 26.8 min |
| Walk Score | 44 | 55 |
| Crime Level | 5.5 | Moderate |
| School Rating | N/A | 5.4 |
| Cost of Living Index | 94 | 138 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+10.2 | D+2.6 |
C+
77.6 Score
Appleton, WI
Wisconsin community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$309,058
Population
74,719
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
44
Midwest
View Appleton, WI →
D
63.6 Score
Santa Ana, CA
Heart of Orange County
Median Home
$869,263
Population
310,227
Crime
Moderate
Schools
C
Pacific
View Santa Ana, CA →