Gresham OR 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)
Gresham, OR
Oregon · Population: 112,818
- Median HH Income$73,608
- Median Home Price$472,119
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+23.6%
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
Gresham
112,818
Santa Rosa
129,239
Santa Rosa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gresham
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Gresham
37.2
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Foreign Born
Gresham
16.5%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Gresham
67.7%
Gresham +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Gresham
4.4%
Gresham +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
Gresham
5.7%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Gresham
21.1%
Gresham +
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Spanish at Home
Gresham
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,818 | 129,239 | Santa Rosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 34.5 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 16.5% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 67.7% | 31.9% | Gresham + |
| Black | 4.4% | 2.1% | Gresham + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 21.1% | 16.1% | Gresham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gresham
$73,608
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Gresham
$35,390
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gresham
$63,691
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
Gresham
5.3%
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poverty Rate
Gresham
12.7%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gresham
23.6%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,608 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,390 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.6% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gresham
$472,119
Gresham +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Gresham
56.1%
Gresham +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $472,119 | $720,443 | Gresham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.1% | 41.2% | Gresham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gresham
355
Gresham +
Santa Rosa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gresham
3001
Santa Rosa
2388
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 503 | Gresham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2388 | Santa Rosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gresham
31.2%
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gresham
11.3%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gresham
20.4%
Santa Rosa
16.7%
Santa Rosa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gresham
11.0%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gresham
16.2%
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Santa Rosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gresham
15.3%
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 16.7% | Santa Rosa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gresham
N/A
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gresham
N/A
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 59.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 32.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gresham
9.0 µg/m³
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gresham
55.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Rosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Rosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gresham
28.8 min
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 25.2 min | Santa Rosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, while gresham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $472,119. On public safety, Gresham is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 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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