Athens GA vs Santa Rosa CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
Santa Rosa, CA
California · Population: 129,239
- Median HH Income$173,670
- Median Home Price$720,443
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+65.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Santa Rosa
129,239
Santa Rosa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Santa Rosa
34.5
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Santa Rosa +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 129,239 | Santa Rosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 34.5 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 57.6% | 31.9% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 2.1% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 16.1% | Santa Rosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Santa Rosa
41.2%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $720,443 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 41.2% | Santa Rosa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Santa Rosa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Santa Rosa
2388
| Metric | Athens, GA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 503 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2388 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Santa Rosa
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Santa Rosa
11.3%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 26.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.7% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Santa Rosa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 59.2°F | Santa Rosa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 32.2 in | Santa Rosa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Rosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Rosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 25.2 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, while athens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,821. On public safety, Athens is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Rosa. Santa Rosa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Santa Rosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Athens, GA vs New York, NYAthens, GA vs Los Angeles, CAAthens, GA vs Chicago, ILAthens, GA vs Houston, TXAthens, GA vs Phoenix, AZAthens, GA vs Philadelphia, PA