Boulder, CO 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.
Boulder
67.4
#1424 nationally
Santa Ana
63.6
#1759 nationally
Boulder leads in school rating (8.4 vs 5.4). Boulder leads in average commute (21.4 min vs 26.8 min). Santa Ana leads in cost of living index (138 vs 165).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Santa Ana, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.4 (#1424) | 63.6 (#1759) |
| Population | 103,166 | 310,227 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $957,377 | $869,263 |
| Median Household Income | $86,098 | $72,458 |
| Average Commute | 21.4 min | 26.8 min |
| Walk Score | 62 | 55 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-Low | Moderate |
| School Rating | 8.4 | 5.4 |
| Cost of Living Index | 165 | 138 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+55.8 | D+2.6 |
D+
67.4 Score
Boulder, CO
Nature meets innovation at the Flatirons
Median Home
$957,377
Population
103,166
Crime
Moderate-Low
Schools
A
West
View Boulder, CO →
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 →