Matthews, NC 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.
Matthews
68.7
#1294 nationally
Santa Ana
63.6
#1759 nationally
Santa Ana leads in walk score (55 vs 16). Matthews leads in median household income ($103,405 vs $72,458). Matthews leads in cost of living index (116 vs 138).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Matthews, NC | Santa Ana, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.7 (#1294) | 63.6 (#1759) |
| Population | 30,934 | 310,227 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $514,763 | $869,263 |
| Median Household Income | $103,405 | $72,458 |
| Average Commute | 26.9 min | 26.8 min |
| Walk Score | 16 | 55 |
| Crime Level | 5.1 | Moderate |
| School Rating | N/A | 5.4 |
| Cost of Living Index | 116 | 138 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+32.9 | D+2.6 |
D+
68.7 Score
Matthews, NC
Small North Carolina city with local appeal
Median Home
$514,763
Population
30,934
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
16
Southeast
View Matthews, NC →
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 →