Santa Ana, CA vs. Riverside, CA: Cost of Living Comparison (2025)
Considering a move to Santa Ana or Riverside, California? Here’s a rapid-fire comparison of key cost of living factors in 2025:
- 🏘️ Median home price: $200,000 less in Riverside
- ⚡ Average utility bill: $50/month cheaper in Santa Ana
- 🍎 Typical grocery costs: 5% lower in Riverside
- 💸 Sales tax rate: 1.25% higher in Santa Ana
For a deeper dive into the real cost of living in Santa Ana vs. Riverside, read on. This article is perfect for families relocating, professionals choosing between job offers, or anyone comparing their budget in these two SoCal cities.
1. Housing Costs
Housing is often the biggest factor in cost of living. Here’s how Santa Ana and Riverside stack up for typical options:
| Housing Type | Santa Ana | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| 2BR Apartment (Monthly Rent) | $2,400 | $1,900 |
| 3BR House (Median Price) | $950,000 | $750,000 |
🏆 Winner: Riverside. Expect to pay around 20% less for comparable housing in Riverside vs. Santa Ana.
2. Utilities and Energy Costs
Utility costs can add up. Here’s what to budget monthly in Santa Ana and Riverside:
- Santa Ana: $180-$220 (lower in winter, higher in summer)
- Riverside: $220-$280 (higher year-round due to more extreme climate)
Both cities offer off-peak savings plans to help manage summer A/C bills. But overall, Santa Ana residents save about $50/month on utilities compared to Riverside.
🏆 Winner: Santa Ana, thanks to its milder coastal climate requiring less heating and cooling.
3. Groceries and Daily Expenses
For groceries and everyday purchases, Riverside has the slight edge. Expect to spend about 5% less on identical grocery items in Riverside compared to Santa Ana.
Restaurant prices are similar between the two cities. A meal for two averages $70 in both Santa Ana and Riverside, excluding alcohol.
🏆 Winner: Riverside, but only by a small margin on groceries. Dining out costs are comparable.
4. Taxes and Fees
Don’t overlook taxes and city fees in your cost of living comparison. Key differences include:
- Sales tax: 8.75% in Santa Ana vs. 7.75% in Riverside
- Property tax rate: 1.15% in Santa Ana vs. 1.25% in Riverside
- City service fees: $20/month higher in Riverside (for trash, sewer, etc.)
- HOA fees: $350/month average in Santa Ana vs. $250/month in Riverside
In Santa Ana, HOA fees often include extras like landscaping and exterior maintenance. Riverside HOAs tend to cover just the basics.
🏆 Winner: It depends. Riverside has a lower sales tax, but Santa Ana’s property taxes and HOA fees are cheaper. It’s roughly a wash for most households.
5. Cost Summary
To visualize the full cost of living difference between Santa Ana and Riverside, here’s a monthly budget comparison for a typical family:
| Category | Santa Ana | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Housing (3BR House) | $4,200 | $3,300 |
| Utilities | $200 | $250 |
| Groceries | $800 | $760 |
| Transportation | $500 | $450 |
| Taxes (Property + Sales) | $1,100 | $1,000 |
| Misc Expenses | $750 | $750 |
| Estimated Monthly Total | $7,550 | $6,510 |
Note: Figures shown are pre-tax monthly costs. Actual budgets vary by household.
6. Lifestyle Fit
Of course, cost is just one factor in choosing between Santa Ana and Riverside. Consider how each city fits your lifestyle:
- Santa Ana: Urban feel, walkable neighborhoods, shorter commutes, cooler summers
- Riverside: Suburban vibe, more space for the money, better air quality, easier parking
A few key differences to note:
- Riverside averages 15°F hotter than Santa Ana during summer months.
- Santa Ana’s denser layout means more walkable amenities. Riverside is more car-dependent.
7. FAQs
Q: Is Santa Ana more affordable than Riverside?
A: Not for most households. Riverside is generally 10-15% cheaper than Santa Ana, mainly due to lower housing costs.
Q: Which city has lower rent?
A: Riverside rents are about 20% lower than comparable apartments in Santa Ana.
Q: Where is it cheaper to buy a home?
A: Riverside. The median home price is nearly $200,000 less than in Santa Ana as of 2025.
8. Conclusion
While both cities offer a great SoCal lifestyle, Riverside comes out ahead on affordability. A household moving from Santa Ana to Riverside might save $400/month on housing alone.
However, Santa Ana’s higher costs come with perks like cooler weather, walkable neighborhoods, and shorter commutes. It’s a matter of priorities.
Budgeting for a move? Check out these monthly budget examples for Santa Ana residents. Or see how your current expenses stack up with our full cost of living guide for Santa Ana in 2025.
Santa Ana, CA vs. Riverside, CA: Cost of Living Comparison (2025)
Considering a move to Santa Ana or Riverside, California? Here’s a rapid-fire comparison of key cost of living factors in 2025:
- 🏘️ Median home price: $200,000 less in Riverside
- ⚡ Average utility bill: $50/month cheaper in Santa Ana
- 🍎 Typical grocery costs: 5% lower in Riverside
- 💸 Sales tax rate: 1.25% higher in Santa Ana
For a deeper dive into the real cost of living in Santa Ana vs. Riverside, read on. This article is perfect for families relocating, professionals choosing between job offers, or anyone comparing their budget in these two SoCal cities.
1. Housing Costs
Housing is often the biggest factor in cost of living. Here’s how Santa Ana and Riverside stack up for typical options:
| Housing Type | Santa Ana | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| 2BR Apartment (Monthly Rent) | $2,400 | $1,900 |
| 3BR House (Median Price) | $950,000 | $750,000 |
🏆 Winner: Riverside. Expect to pay around 20% less for comparable housing in Riverside vs. Santa Ana.
2. Utilities and Energy Costs
Utility costs can add up. Here’s what to budget monthly in Santa Ana and Riverside:
- Santa Ana: $180-$220 (lower in winter, higher in summer)
- Riverside: $220-$280 (higher year-round due to more extreme climate)
Both cities offer off-peak savings plans to help manage summer A/C bills. But overall, Santa Ana residents save about $50/month on utilities compared to Riverside.
🏆 Winner: Santa Ana, thanks to its milder coastal climate requiring less heating and cooling.
3. Groceries and Daily Expenses
For groceries and everyday purchases, Riverside has the slight edge. Expect to spend about 5% less on identical grocery items in Riverside compared to Santa Ana.
Restaurant prices are similar between the two cities. A meal for two averages $70 in both Santa Ana and Riverside, excluding alcohol.
🏆 Winner: Riverside, but only by a small margin on groceries. Dining out costs are comparable.
4. Taxes and Fees
Don’t overlook taxes and city fees in your cost of living comparison. Key differences include:
- Sales tax: 8.75% in Santa Ana vs. 7.75% in Riverside
- Property tax rate: 1.15% in Santa Ana vs. 1.25% in Riverside
- City service fees: $20/month higher in Riverside (for trash, sewer, etc.)
- HOA fees: $350/month average in Santa Ana vs. $250/month in Riverside
In Santa Ana, HOA fees often include extras like landscaping and exterior maintenance. Riverside HOAs tend to cover just the basics.
🏆 Winner: It depends. Riverside has a lower sales tax, but Santa Ana’s property taxes and HOA fees are cheaper. It’s roughly a wash for most households.
5. Cost Summary
To visualize the full cost of living difference between Santa Ana and Riverside, here’s a monthly budget comparison for a typical family:
| Category | Santa Ana | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Housing (3BR House) | $4,200 | $3,300 |
| Utilities | $200 | $250 |
| Groceries | $800 | $760 |
| Transportation | $500 | $450 |
| Taxes (Property + Sales) | $1,100 | $1,000 |
| Misc Expenses | $750 | $750 |
| Estimated Monthly Total | $7,550 | $6,510 |
Note: Figures shown are pre-tax monthly costs. Actual budgets vary by household.
6. Lifestyle Fit
Of course, cost is just one factor in choosing between Santa Ana and Riverside. Consider how each city fits your lifestyle:
- Santa Ana: Urban feel, walkable neighborhoods, shorter commutes, cooler summers
- Riverside: Suburban vibe, more space for the money, better air quality, easier parking
A few key differences to note:
- Riverside averages 15°F hotter than Santa Ana during summer months.
- Santa Ana’s denser layout means more walkable amenities. Riverside is more car-dependent.
7. FAQs
Q: Is Santa Ana more affordable than Riverside?
A: Not for most households. Riverside is generally 10-15% cheaper than Santa Ana, mainly due to lower housing costs.
Q: Which city has lower rent?
A: Riverside rents are about 20% lower than comparable apartments in Santa Ana.
Q: Where is it cheaper to buy a home?
A: Riverside. The median home price is nearly $200,000 less than in Santa Ana as of 2025.
8. Conclusion
While both cities offer a great SoCal lifestyle, Riverside comes out ahead on affordability. A household moving from Santa Ana to Riverside might save $400/month on housing alone.
However, Santa Ana’s higher costs come with perks like cooler weather, walkable neighborhoods, and shorter commutes. It’s a matter of priorities.
Budgeting for a move? Check out these monthly budget examples for Santa Ana residents. Or see how your current expenses stack up with our full cost of living guide for Santa Ana in 2025.