Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Santa Rosa
129,239
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Santa Rosa +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Santa Rosa +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 129,239 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.5 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 11.7% | 31.9% | Santa Rosa + |
| Black | 76.8% | 2.1% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 16.1% | Santa Rosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 4.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Detroit +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $720,443 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 41.2% | Detroit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Detroit +
Santa Rosa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Santa Rosa
2388
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 503 | Detroit + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2388 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Santa Rosa
16.7%
Santa Rosa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 16.7% | Santa Rosa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.8% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 11.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 59.2°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 32.2 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Rosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Rosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 25.2 min | Santa Rosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Detroit is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 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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