Cost of Living in Santa Ana, CA - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $991 (excluding rent), and $3,187 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,906 (excluding rent), and $6,218 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$18.27 $18.27

$14.21 $14.21

$23.35 $23.35

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$84.8 $84.8

$49.89 $49.89

$89.8 $89.8

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$15.10 $15.10

$12.08 $12.08

$18.12 $18.12

Cappuccino

$5.09 $5.09

$3.67 $3.67

$7.13 $7.13

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.74 $2.74

$1.77 $1.77

$3.03 $3.03

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.01 $2.01

$2.52 $2.52

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.97 $6.97

$2.99 $2.99

$7.97 $7.97

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.04 $7.04

$6.04 $6.04

$10.06 $10.06

Milk (1 liter)

$1.12 $1.12

$0.94 $0.94

$1.36 $1.36

White Bread (500g)

$4.04 $4.04

$1.10 $1.10

$5.54 $5.54

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.81 $4.81

$1.20 $1.20

$6.79 $6.79

Eggs

$7.21 $7.21

$3.06 $3.06

$12.28 $12.28

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.08 $12.08

$5.45 $5.45

$18.95 $18.95

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$16.38 $16.38

$5.78 $5.78

$20.72 $20.72

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.58 $14.58

$9.97 $9.97

$17.93 $17.93

Apples (1kg)

$4.32 $4.32

$2.71 $2.71

$5.96 $5.96

Banana (1kg)

$1.67 $1.67

$1.27 $1.27

$2.60 $2.60

Oranges (1kg)

$4.17 $4.17

$1.80 $1.80

$7.91 $7.91

Tomato (1kg)

$5.54 $5.54

$1.64 $1.64

$8.75 $8.75

Potato (1kg)

$3.23 $3.23

$1.10 $1.10

$5.53 $5.53

Onion (1kg)

$2.94 $2.94

$1.77 $1.77

$4.48 $4.48

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.04 $2.04

$0.98 $0.98

$2.97 $2.97

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.09 $2.09

$0.87 $0.87

$2.53 $2.53

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.95 $10.95

$6.97 $6.97

$11.95 $11.95

Wine (Bottle)

$15.27 $15.27

$10.17 $10.17

$23.42 $23.42

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.99 $1.99

$1.76 $1.76

$3.62 $3.62

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.54 $3.54

$1.21 $1.21

$6.07 $6.07

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.03 $2.03

$1.27 $1.27

$2.03 $2.03

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$68.4 $68.4

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$6.76 $6.76

$6.39 $6.39

$10.22 $10.22

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.77 $2.77

$4.38 $4.38

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$28.62 $28.62

$25.89 $25.89

$34.32 $34.32

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.28 $1.28

$1.17 $1.17

$1.34 $1.34

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$24.2K $24.2K

$37.2K $37.2K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$23.7K $23.7K

$23.5K $23.5K

$34.3K $34.3K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$158 $158

$126 $126

$500 $500

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$46.54 $46.54

$20.02 $20.02

$100 $100

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$57.4 $57.4

$49.04 $49.04

$78.5 $78.5

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$24.68 $24.68

$17.27 $17.27

$49.35 $49.35

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$10.18 $10.18

Cinema Ticket

$14.21 $14.21

$12.18 $12.18

$18.27 $18.27

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,229 $1,229

$1,190 $1,190

$1,834 $1,834

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$23.3K $23.3K

$16.7K $16.7K

$27.1K $27.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$48.03 $48.03

$25.28 $25.28

$70.8 $70.8

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$34.26 $34.26

$24.36 $24.36

$102 $102

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$85.6 $85.6

$65.3 $65.3

$151 $151

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$83.9 $83.9

$49.36 $49.36

$158 $158

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,237 $2,237

$2,033 $2,033

$2,440 $2,440

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,924 $1,924

$1,822 $1,822

$2,025 $2,025

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,943 $2,943

$1,962 $1,962

$2,943 $2,943

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,194 $3,194

$2,948 $2,948

$3,440 $3,440

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,268 $4,268

$2,660 $2,660

$5,876 $5,876

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$4,259 $4,259

$2,647 $2,647

$5,871 $5,871

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,050 $3,050

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.58

6.19

6.8

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: March 3, 2026

Santa Ana, CA Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Santa Ana, CA - Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Ana offers a practical balance for those who want Southern California access without the higher price tag of larger metros. Cost of Living in Santa Ana, CA, United States sits lower than many coastal hubs while still delivering reliable lifestyle benefits: neighborhoods with character, a lively dining scene, and solid transit links to Orange County and beyond. You’ll find a mix of apartments, townhomes, and shared housing that can suit short and longer stays. Local markets, casual eateries, and coworking spaces support varied work styles. Tip: test multiple neighborhoods on a weekend and choose where you feel most productive and relaxed.

Day-to-day life in Santa Ana blends practical realism with easy access to the wider Orange County area. When you're housing hunting, target neighborhoods you can walk or bike to cafes and groceries, and map out routes that avoid peak traffic. Food options range from casual taquerias to farmers markets, making one-dish meals a common, affordable habit. For getting around, the bus network and bike lanes keep costs reasonable, while rideshares fill gaps. Co-working spaces and cafes offer reliable workability for remote work. Santa Ana, CA, United States living cost is enough to keep life comfortable without the big-city price tag. Tip: test a couple of routes and schedules before committing to a neighborhood.

Quality of life here benefits from sun, diversity, and a walkable core in downtown corridors, plus easy access to beaches and parks. A simple budgeting approach works by splitting expenses into housing, daily needs, and discretionary spend, then adjusting as plans change. Seasonality matters more in terms of climate and event calendars than prices: hot summers drive indoor days, festivals bring energy, and crowd levels shift with school calendars. Neighborhood fit comes from hands-on exploration – walk, eat, and chat with locals to sense safety, pace, and vibe. Tip: join a local meetup to test social fit.