What Is the Cost of Living in Santa Ana, CA?

Whether you’re looking for a small studio apartment, a modest one-bedroom apartment, or a spacious two-bedroom apartment, living in Santa Ana, California, can be a wonderful experience. As the second-most populous city in Orange County, this city is home to more than 330,000 people. Santa Ana was founded in 1869 and incorporated as a city in 1886 with a population of only 2,000 people. Today, the city ranks fourth nationally in the list of the most densely populated cities. In 2011, it was the fourth safest city among cities with more than 250,000 residents in the country.

Whether a move to Santa Ana is imminent, or if you’re trying to weigh your options about where to live, you should know the cost of living in Santa Ana, California, before making any moves.

How expensive is an apartment in Santa Ana?

When you’re researching the cost of living in Santa Ana, California, the cost of renting an apartment will factor into your budgeting. The average cost of renting a studio apartment in Santa Ana is approximately $1,405 per month. Although this cost is significantly above the U.S. average, it is less than Los Angeles proper.

For a one-bedroom apartment in Santa Ana, the average monthly cost is approximately $1,695, compared to slightly more in Los Angeles. For a two-bedroom apartment in Santa Ana, the monthly average cost is $2,239. 

The average cost of living in Santa Ana, California is 33.3% above the national average. However, when compared to nearby Irvine, Santa Ana is cheaper. Irvine is 27.9% more expensive than Santa Ana, and the median home cost is 55% more expensive.

How do I find cheap apartments in Santa Ana?

When looking for an apartment in Santa Ana, make a list of all the apartment features you desire. In the list, include essential factors such as how far away from the city center you would be prepared to live in, whether you would be willing to have roommates, the required size of the apartment, and any amenities you’d ideally like it to include. Also, set a reasonable budget. When researching potential apartments, look for those that are within your preferred budget.

Downtown Santa Ana contains a few cheap apartments for rent. In addition, you can find affordable places to live in the Heninger Park, Santa Anita Park, Pico-Lowell, and Cabrillo Park neighborhoods. Some attractively furnished apartments in Sandpointe and Cabrillo Park may appeal to you, depending on how much you’re willing to spend on rent.

Once you’ve established what you’re looking for, starting searching for an apartment. When trying to find a cheap apartment in Santa Ana, follow these best tips for success:

• Be willing to compromise on some of your wants: Looking for a cheap apartment can often require you to make compromises on your requirements. You might have to accept the fact that living with somebody else would be a more cost-effective option than living alone. Living outside of the city center could be much cheaper, too. Remember that you may need to compromise on some of your wants to find a cheap apartment.
• Choose middle-floor apartments: In most places, apartments on the higher or lower levels typically cost more each month. The higher cost is due to the views offered on higher levels and easy access on the ground floor. Generally, apartments on the middle floors cost less per month. If you want to save costs, consider looking for middle-floor units in an apartment complex.
• Find a roommate: If you’re open to living with somebody else, finding a roommate is a great way to cut rental costs. Having a roommate allows you to each pay a share of the costs. You can use many resources to find a suitable roommate in Santa Ana, but make sure you establish what you’re looking for in a roommate before choosing one.
• Move during off-season months of the year: The rental costs of apartments in many cities tend to be affected by the time of year you decide to move in. For example, Santa Ana has colleges and universities nearby. The monthly prices of apartments tend to rise if you move at the beginning of a semester, such as August and January because the demand is higher at these times during these months of the academic year.

What is the cheapest rent in Santa Ana?

You can find a studio apartment in Santa Ana for as low as $1,400 per month. One-bedroom apartments are available for a minimum of around $1,550 per month. On the other hand, a two-bedroom apartment in Santa Ana can rent for as low as $1,700 per month. With a little time and patience, you can find a cheap and suitable apartment in Santa Ana.

Now that you have more details about the Santa Ana cost of living, you’ll be more aware of how much to budget for your next apartment. Whether you’re moving to Santa Ana next week, next year, or at some future time, you can be better prepared to find the apartment that you want for your budget.