Gainesville FL 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Gainesville +
Santa Rosa
129,239
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Santa Rosa
34.5
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Gainesville +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Santa Rosa +
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 129,239 | Gainesville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 34.5 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 59.2% | 31.9% | Gainesville + |
| Black | 21.6% | 2.1% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 16.1% | Santa Rosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 4.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Santa Rosa
41.2%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $720,443 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 41.2% | Santa Rosa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Santa Rosa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
Santa Rosa
2388
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 503 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2388 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Santa Rosa
16.7%
Santa Rosa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Santa Rosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 10.4% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 16.7% | Santa Rosa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 15.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Santa Rosa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | 59.2°F | Santa Rosa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 32.2 in | Santa Rosa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 25.2 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Rosa. Santa Rosa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Rosa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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