Cleveland OH 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)
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Santa Rosa
129,239
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Cleveland +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Santa Rosa +
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 129,239 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 34.5 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 36.7% | 31.9% | Cleveland + |
| Black | 46.8% | 2.1% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 16.1% | Santa Rosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 4.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Santa Rosa
41.2%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $720,443 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 41.2% | Santa Rosa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Santa Rosa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Cleveland +
Santa Rosa
2388
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 503 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2388 | Cleveland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Santa Rosa
16.7%
Santa Rosa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Santa Rosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 16.7% | Santa Rosa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 11.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Cleveland +
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 59.2°F | Cleveland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 32.2 in | Santa Rosa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Rosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Rosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Cleveland +
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 25.2 min | Cleveland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Cleveland is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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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