Chicago IL 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)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Santa Rosa
129,239
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Chicago
39.1%
Chicago +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 129,239 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 34.5 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 39.1% | 31.9% | Chicago + |
| Black | 28.4% | 2.1% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 16.1% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Chicago +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $720,443 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 41.2% | Chicago + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Santa Rosa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Santa Rosa
2388
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 503 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2388 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Santa Rosa
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Santa Rosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.7% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 15.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 59.2°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 32.2 in | Santa Rosa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Rosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Rosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 25.2 min | Santa Rosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, while chicago offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,183. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 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). For overall health outcomes, Santa Rosa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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