Columbia 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)
Columbia, SC
South Carolina · Population: 138,019
- Median HH Income$55,653
- Median Home Price$229,993
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
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
Columbia
138,019
Columbia +
Santa Rosa
129,239
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Santa Rosa
34.5
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Columbia +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Santa Rosa +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 129,239 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 34.5 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 49.9% | 31.9% | Columbia + |
| Black | 39.5% | 2.1% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 16.1% | Santa Rosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Columbia +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $720,443 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 41.2% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Santa Rosa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
Santa Rosa
2388
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Santa Rosa
16.7%
Santa Rosa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Santa Rosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 16.7% | Santa Rosa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Santa Rosa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 59.2°F | Santa Rosa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 32.2 in | Santa Rosa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, 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
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 25.2 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 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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