Colorado Springs 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)
Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado · Population: 483,099
- Median HH Income$83,198
- Median Home Price$451,202
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
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
Colorado Springs
483,099
Colorado Springs +
Santa Rosa
129,239
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Colorado Springs
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Colorado Springs
35.6
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Foreign Born
Colorado Springs
7.4%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Colorado Springs +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Colorado Springs +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Colorado Springs +
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Spanish at Home
Colorado Springs
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 483,099 | 129,239 | Colorado Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 34.5 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 72.3% | 31.9% | Colorado Springs + |
| Black | 5.8% | 2.1% | Colorado Springs + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 18.7% | 16.1% | Colorado Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poverty Rate
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Colorado Springs
41.9%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,198 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,893 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Colorado Springs +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Colorado Springs
61.3%
Colorado Springs +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $451,202 | $720,443 | Colorado Springs + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.3% | 41.2% | Colorado Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
512
Santa Rosa
503
Santa Rosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
3234
Santa Rosa
2388
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, 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
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Colorado Springs +
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Colorado Springs
18.0%
Santa Rosa
16.7%
Santa Rosa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Colorado Springs +
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Santa Rosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
11.0%
Colorado Springs +
Santa Rosa
11.3%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 10.4% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 16.7% | Santa Rosa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 10.4% | Colorado Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 11.3% | Colorado Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Colorado Springs +
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
Colorado Springs +
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.0°F | 59.2°F | Colorado Springs + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.5 in | 32.2 in | Colorado Springs + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Colorado Springs +
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Colorado Springs + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Colorado Springs
24.1 min
Colorado Springs +
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 25.2 min | Colorado Springs + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, while colorado Springs offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $451,202. On public safety, Santa Rosa is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Colorado Springs. Santa Rosa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Colorado Springs has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Rosa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
Compare More Cities
Colorado Springs, CO vs New York, NYColorado Springs, CO vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Colorado Springs, COColorado Springs, CO vs Houston, TXColorado Springs, CO vs Phoenix, AZColorado Springs, CO vs Philadelphia, PA