Boulder CO 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)
Boulder, CO
Colorado · Population: 106,274
- Median HH Income$85,364
- Median Home Price$970,905
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+76.8%
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
Boulder
106,274
Santa Rosa
129,239
Santa Rosa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Santa Rosa
34.5
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Boulder
1.1%
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Santa Rosa +
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Santa Rosa +
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 129,239 | Santa Rosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 34.5 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 81.8% | 31.9% | Boulder + |
| Black | 1.1% | 2.1% | Santa Rosa + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 16.1% | Santa Rosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
Santa Rosa
65.3%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 65.3% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Santa Rosa +
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
Boulder +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $720,443 | Santa Rosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 41.2% | Boulder + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
Santa Rosa
503
Santa Rosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
Santa Rosa
2388
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 503 | Santa Rosa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2388 | Santa Rosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
Santa Rosa
16.7%
Santa Rosa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
Boulder +
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Santa Rosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
Santa Rosa
11.3%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 26.5% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.7% | 10.4% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 16.7% | Santa Rosa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 10.4% | Boulder + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 15.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 11.3% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
51.6°F
Boulder +
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
Boulder +
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 59.2°F | Boulder + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 32.2 in | Boulder + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 25.2 min | Boulder + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, while santa Rosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $720,443. On public safety, Santa Rosa is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Boulder. Santa Rosa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Boulder has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boulder scores better with a lower obesity rate of 16.5%.
Compare More Cities
Boulder, CO vs New York, NYBoulder, CO vs Los Angeles, CABoulder, CO vs Chicago, ILBoulder, CO vs Houston, TXBoulder, CO vs Phoenix, AZBoulder, CO vs Philadelphia, PA