Charleston SC 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)
Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 152,014
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$593,739
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+57.7%
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
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
Santa Rosa
129,239
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Santa Rosa +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 129,239 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 34.5 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 72.9% | 31.9% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 2.1% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 16.1% | Santa Rosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.4% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Charleston +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Charleston +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $720,443 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 41.2% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Santa Rosa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Santa Rosa
2388
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Santa Rosa
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Santa Rosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Santa Rosa
11.3%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 10.4% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 16.7% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 10.4% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 15.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.3% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Santa Rosa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 59.2°F | Santa Rosa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 32.2 in | Santa Rosa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Rosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 25.2 min | Santa Rosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $593,739. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Rosa. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Santa Rosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Rosa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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