Manhattan, New York and Santa Ana, California are two diverse cities across the US with distinct characteristics. Living or just visiting these places offers unique experiences, with Manhattan being a bustling metropolis known for its iconic landmarks, while Santa Ana, on the west coast, garners attention for its favorable weather and vibrant arts scene. Whether you're considering relocating or just planning a visit, numerous factors, like safety, cost of living, economy, culture, and more, significantly impact your decision.
Manhattan generally has higher crime rates compared to Santa Ana. While crime in New York City has significantly reduced over the last few years, it's still crucial to be mindful, especially in certain areas of Manhattan. On the other hand, Santa Ana has shown a decline in both violent and property crime rates, becoming safer year after year. As a tourist or future resident, you should still prioritize safety and stay informed about the happenings in these cities.
Cost of Living
When it comes to the cost of living, Manhattan is one of the most expensive places to live in the US, with high housing prices and everyday living expenses. Santa Ana is also above the national average regarding cost of living, but still significantly cheaper than Manhattan. This lower cost extends to housing, groceries, and healthcare.
Income Tax
New York State has a progressive income tax system that could go as high as 8.82%, while New York City adds up to 3.876% on top of the state rate. California’s income tax rates range from 1% to 13.3%, based on income levels.
Property Tax
The average property tax rate for Manhattan homeowners is about 0.88%, while Santa Ana residents face a slightly higher average property tax rate at around 1.08%.
Sales Tax
Manhattan, New York has a combined city and state sales tax rate of 8.875%. Comparatively, Santa Ana has a higher total sales tax rate of 9.25%.
Income
Type
Manhattan
Santa Ana
Estimated median household income
$84,435
$80,265
Estimated per capita income
$76,589
$26,691
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
185.3
88.6
If you make $50,000 in Santa Ana, you will have to make $104,571 in Manhattan to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Located on an island, Manhattan is surrounded by rivers and characterized by a skyline defined by towering skyscrapers. Santa Ana has a mostly flat topography with some hilly areas, and it lies inland from the California coast.
Geographical information
Type
Manhattan
Santa Ana
Land area
23 sq. miles
27.1 sq. miles
Population density
70,629 people per sq. mile
11,401 people per sq. mile
Relative area comparison
Manhattan, NY Santa Ana, CA
Education
Both Manhattan and Santa Ana host a mix of public and private schools. Manhattan stands out for its array of prestigious institutions, including Columbia University and New York University. In Santa Ana, the Santa Ana Unified School District serves the majority of students. The city is also home to Santa Ana College, offering various vocational and undergraduate programs.
Manhattan is a global powerhouse, with a robust economy driven by finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and entertainment. Santa Ana, while smaller, has a diverse economy with strong sectors in healthcare, retail, and manufacturing. Both cities offer ample employment opportunities but in distinctly different fields.
Biggest Employers
Manhattan is home to numerous Fortune 500 companies, including JPMorgan Chase, Verizon, and Citigroup. In Santa Ana, the biggest employers include the County of Orange, Ingram Micro, and Tenet Healthcare.
In Manhattan (New York County), 83.9% voted for Democrats and 14.9% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Santa Ana (Orange County), 45.8% voted for Democrats and 52.0% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Manhattan
Santa Ana
Manhattan
Santa Ana
Manhattan
Santa Ana
2020
86.5%
53.6%
12.2%
44.6%
1.2%
1.8%
2016
86.7%
50.9%
9.7%
42.4%
3.6%
6.7%
2012
83.9%
45.8%
14.9%
52.0%
1.2%
2.3%
2008
86.1%
47.8%
13.5%
50.3%
0.3%
1.9%
2004
82.3%
39.3%
16.8%
60.2%
0.9%
0.5%
2000
80.0%
40.4%
14.5%
55.9%
5.5%
3.7%
1996
80.0%
37.9%
13.8%
51.7%
6.3%
10.5%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Manhattan
Santa Ana
Manhattan
Santa Ana
CATHOLIC CHURCH
20.4%
26.5%
12.6%
4.4%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
2.7%
0.8%
2.4%
1.3%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
1.7%
0.4%
5.3%
1.4%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
1.6%
0.2%
4.7%
1.7%
REFORMED CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.6%
0.3%
1.2%
0.2%
PATRIAR PARISHE RUSSIAN ORTHODO CHURCH USA
0.4%
0.0%
0.2%
0.0%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.3%
0.4%
2.0%
2.3%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.3%
0.4%
2.4%
1.3%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
0.2%
2.3%
2.9%
8.8%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.0%
0.6%
0.6%
2.0%
Weather
Weatherwise, Santa Ana offers a Mediterranean climate, with warm summers and mild winters, making it a preferable place for those who enjoy sunny weather throughout the year. Conversely, Manhattan experiences four distinct seasons - hot summers, cold winters, and pleasant springs and falls. For those who prefer seasonal variation, Manhattan might be more appealing.
Weather and climate
Type
Manhattan
Santa Ana
Temperature - Average
54.6°F
65.4°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
67.4%
69.9%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
30%
26.2%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
77%
78.3%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
47%
52%
Precipitation - Yearly average
49.6 in
13.8 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
57.4 in
0 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
17.8%
26.5%
Sunshine amount - Average
60.2%
78.4%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
20%
21.9%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
64%
84.8%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
44%
62.9%
Wind speed - Average
6.7 mph
5.9 mph
Average climate in Manhattan, New York
Average climate in Santa Ana, California
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Manhattan
Santa Ana
Manhattan
Santa Ana
Manhattan
Santa Ana
Manhattan
Santa Ana
Manhattan
Santa Ana
Manhattan
Santa Ana
Manhattan
Santa Ana
Manhattan
Santa Ana
2018
94
124
0.29
0.34
17.3
14.2
23.9
27.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
27.5
7.9
12.3
0.5
0.7
2017
97
129
0.16
0.35
17.4
13.9
24.0
29.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
26.7
7.7
13.6
0.4
0.5
2016
94
107
0.28
0.35
18.1
12.6
24.2
29.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
24.1
7.7
12.7
0.6
0.2
2015
100
128
0.36
0.32
18.9
13.4
23.0
29.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
25.0
8.6
14.7
1.0
0.2
2014
95
127
0.40
0.29
19.1
13.2
22.3
28.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
26.7
8.3
15.9
1.1
0.4
2013
97
123
0.43
0.34
19.5
13.9
22.6
27.6
N/A
0.003
N/A
28.8
9.0
14.0
1.1
0.3
2012
99
115
0.46
0.31
18.6
12.9
23.4
26.7
N/A
0.004
N/A
27.5
9.3
14.5
1.7
0.1
2011
108
118
0.46
0.31
20.7
14.8
22.2
27.1
N/A
0.006
N/A
27.5
10.9
15.9
2.7
0.7
2010
113
107
0.45
0.34
19.3
14.4
23.3
26.5
N/A
0.011
N/A
23.5
10.4
14.6
2.7
0.6
2009
104
133
0.51
0.35
21.9
16.0
18.8
27.7
N/A
0.010
N/A
24.4
10.7
14.9
3.8
1.1
2008
110
138
0.49
0.38
23.0
17.1
19.8
28.2
0.013
0.010
N/A
30.1
12.3
21.6
4.6
1.1
2007
121
121
0.56
0.36
24.4
17.0
19.4
27.1
0.016
0.012
N/A
N/A
13.1
N/A
5.5
0.8
2006
116
120
0.64
0.40
24.6
17.7
18.9
26.6
0.018
0.007
N/A
N/A
12.9
N/A
6.5
1.3
2005
112
119
0.77
0.40
26.7
18.2
18.4
28.3
N/A
0.013
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.2
1.3
2004
108
128
0.77
0.50
26.7
19.4
17.3
31.2
0.030
0.014
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.0
1.6
2003
107
139
0.83
0.64
27.8
22.3
17.5
28.3
0.024
0.029
26.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.2
1.1
2002
122
122
0.78
0.66
27.9
22.3
18.7
25.1
0.008
0.019
25.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
7.3
1.7
2001
123
120
0.79
0.76
29.4
22.6
19.4
25.1
0.020
0.036
25.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.7
1.5
2000
115
127
0.90
0.80
30.2
25.7
15.0
23.7
0.022
0.028
22.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.4
1.9
Natural disasters
Type
Manhattan
Santa Ana
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
59.1%
19.1%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
31.1%
6,931.4%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
18%
32%
Transportation
Manhattan's public transit is extensive, with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) covering bus, subway, and rail services. For Santa Ana, the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) provides the primary public transit services, but residents rely heavily on cars due to the city's spatial spread-out.
Transport
Type
Manhattan
Santa Ana
Amtrak stations
0
1
Amtrak stations nearby
3
3
FAA registered aircraft
2
150
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
0
15
Means of transportation to work
Type
Manhattan
Santa Ana
Bicycle
0.9%
0.2%
Bus
10.1%
0.9%
Carpooled
3.4%
12%
Car alone
7.6%
83.6%
Railroad
1.1%
0.1%
Streetcar
0.1%
0%
Subway
43.6%
0.1%
Taxicab
4.7%
0%
Walked
21.9%
1.4%
Average travel time to work
Type
Manhattan
Santa Ana
Average
30.3 min
30.4 min
Real Estate
In Manhattan, real-estate is at a premium, with costlier prices reflecting its status as a major world city. Santa Ana's real estate market is more affordable but still competitive due to California’s overall high market prices.
Neighborhoods
Manhattan neighborhoods each boast their unique charm, from the artsy Greenwich Village to the vibrant Times Square. Santa Ana, on the other hand, impresses with its historic districts offering a blend of old and new-world charm.
Houses and residents
Type
Manhattan
Santa Ana
Houses
798,144
80,604
Average household size (people)
2
4.4
Houses occupied
738,644 (92.5%)
78,674 (97.6%)
Houses occupied by owners
148,695 (20.1%)
35,317 (44.9%)
Houses occupied by renters
589,949 (79.9%)
43,357 (55.1%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,690
$1,407
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$3,393,315
$976,981
Estimated median house or condo value
$940,900
$623,000
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.2
3.9
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
4
5.6
Renting percentage
77.2%
52.5%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
34,757
2,969.6
Household income disparities
47.8%
40.4%
Housing units without a mortgage
1,104 (40.3%)
318 (1.2%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
69,517
13,591
State government workers
15,544
3,716
Unpaid family workers
1,861
355
Industries and Occupations
Industries in Manhattan are diverse, with finance, healthcare, tech, and media providing the majority of jobs. Santa Ana has a broad economic base with the healthcare, retail trade, and manufacturing industries, among the top employers.
Manhattan is known for its access to world-class healthcare facilities, including New York-Presbyterian Hospital and Mount Sinai Hospital. Santa Ana also provides quality healthcare services with facilities like the Orange County Global Medical Center and Santa Ana Hospital Medical Center.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Manhattan
Santa Ana
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Both cities offer excellent infrastructure, but with different characteristics. Manhattan, characterized by towering skyscrapers and historic buildings, has a renowned public transit system and is highly walkable. Santa Ana also has well-maintained infrastructure, with a focus on suburban neighborhoods, parks, and commercial areas.
Infrastructure
Type
Manhattan
Santa Ana
TV stations
30
2
Culture and Food
Manhattan boasts a multicultural ambiance and a food scene that offers an amazing variety of global cuisines. On the other hand, Santa Ana is known for its rich Mexican culinary tradition and the arts district which teems with creativity and urban art.
Sports Teams
Manhattan has several prominent sports teams including the New York Yankees (Baseball), New York Knicks (Basketball), and the Giants and Jets (Football). Santa Ana, while it doesn’t have its own major league teams, is near to Anaheim and Los Angeles, homes to Angels (Baseball), Ducks (Hockey), Chargers and Rams (Football), and Lakers and Clippers (Basketball)
Manhattan, NY
Santa Ana, CA
