Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Santa Rosa
129,239
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Santa Rosa +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Santa Rosa +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 129,239 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 34.5 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 27.4% | 31.9% | Santa Rosa + |
| Black | 60.0% | 2.1% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 16.1% | Santa Rosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 4.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Baltimore +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $720,443 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 41.2% | Baltimore + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Baltimore +
Santa Rosa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Santa Rosa
2388
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 503 | Baltimore + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 2388 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Santa Rosa
16.7%
Santa Rosa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Santa Rosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 16.7% | Santa Rosa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 10.4% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 15.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 11.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Baltimore +
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 59.2°F | Baltimore + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 32.2 in | Santa Rosa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 25.2 min | Santa Rosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Baltimore is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Rosa. Santa Rosa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Rosa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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