Glendale 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)
Glendale, CA
California · Population: 192,270
- Median HH Income$84,262
- Median Home Price$1,205,826
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.5%
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
Glendale
192,270
Glendale +
Santa Rosa
129,239
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Glendale
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Glendale
41.4
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Foreign Born
Glendale
51.0%
Glendale +
Santa Rosa
45.4%
White
Glendale
67.4%
Glendale +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Glendale
1.7%
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Santa Rosa +
Asian
Glendale
13.3%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Glendale
18.5%
Glendale +
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Spanish at Home
Glendale
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 192,270 | 129,239 | Glendale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.4 | 34.5 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 51.0% | 45.4% | Glendale + |
| White | 67.4% | 31.9% | Glendale + |
| Black | 1.7% | 2.1% | Santa Rosa + |
| Asian | 13.3% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 18.5% | 16.1% | Glendale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Glendale
$84,262
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Glendale
$46,597
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Glendale
$77,230
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Glendale
8.2%
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poverty Rate
Glendale
13.4%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Glendale
45.5%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,262 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,597 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 4.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.4% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.5% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Glendale
$1,205,826
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Santa Rosa +
Homeownership Rate
Glendale
35.3%
Santa Rosa
41.2%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,205,826 | $720,443 | Santa Rosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.3% | 41.2% | Santa Rosa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
503
Santa Rosa
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
2388
Santa Rosa
2388
Tie
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
24.5%
Glendale +
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
10.9%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Glendale
16.4%
Glendale +
Santa Rosa
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Glendale
6.8%
Glendale +
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Glendale
15.6%
Glendale +
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Glendale
11.5%
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.5% | 26.5% | Glendale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 16.7% | Glendale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 10.4% | Glendale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.8% | Glendale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 11.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
64.1°F
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Santa Rosa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
17.3 in
Glendale +
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.1°F | 59.2°F | Santa Rosa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.3 in | 32.2 in | Glendale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Glendale
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Glendale
75.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Glendale
30.2 min
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.2 min | 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 Glendale. 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, Glendale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.5%.
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