Concord CA 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)

Concord, CA

California · Population: 124,260

  • Median HH Income$109,195
  • Median Home Price$739,280
  • Unemployment4.9%
  • Bachelor's+37.8%

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
Concord
124,260
Santa Rosa
129,239
Santa Rosa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Concord
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Concord
38.6
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Foreign Born
Concord
25.6%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Concord
48.1%
Concord +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Concord
3.9%
Concord +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
Concord
13.5%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Concord
32.3%
Concord +
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Spanish at Home
Concord
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Concord
$109,195
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Concord
$49,514
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Concord
$77,230
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Concord
4.9%
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poverty Rate
Concord
8.9%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Concord
37.8%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Concord
$739,280
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Santa Rosa +
Homeownership Rate
Concord
61.4%
Concord +
Santa Rosa
41.2%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Concord
503
Santa Rosa
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Concord
2388
Santa Rosa
2388
Tie

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Concord
29.1%
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Concord
10.8%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Concord
16.6%
Concord +
Santa Rosa
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Concord
9.3%
Concord +
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Concord
16.2%
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Santa Rosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Concord
10.4%
Concord +
Santa Rosa
11.3%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Concord
61.7°F
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Santa Rosa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Concord
18.1 in
Concord +
Santa Rosa
32.2 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Concord
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Concord
75.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Concord
34.9 min
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
Santa Rosa +

Which City is Right for You?

Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, while santa Rosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $720,443. On public safety, Santa Rosa is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Concord. 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%.

Compare More Cities

About Concord & Santa Rosa