Riverside, CA 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.
Riverside
60.4
#1938 nationally
Santa Ana
63.6
#1759 nationally
Santa Ana leads in walk score (55 vs 43). Santa Ana leads in average commute (26.8 min vs 31.3 min). Riverside leads in median household income ($83,448 vs $72,458).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Santa Ana, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 60.4 (#1938) | 63.6 (#1759) |
| Population | 318,858 | 310,227 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $650,289 | $869,263 |
| Median Household Income | $83,448 | $72,458 |
| Average Commute | 31.3 min | 26.8 min |
| Walk Score | 43 | 55 |
| Crime Level | 16.2 | Moderate |
| School Rating | N/A | 5.4 |
| Cost of Living Index | 140 | 138 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+1.3 | D+2.6 |
D-
60.4 Score
Riverside, CA
Growing California city with expanding opportunities
Median Home
$650,289
Population
318,858
Crime
High
Walk Score
43
Pacific
View Riverside, CA →
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 →
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