Hillsboro 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)
Hillsboro, OR
Oregon · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$522,671
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Hillsboro
N/A
Santa Rosa
129,239
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hillsboro
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Hillsboro
N/A
Santa Rosa
34.5
Foreign Born
Hillsboro
N/A
Santa Rosa
45.4%
White
Hillsboro
N/A
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Hillsboro
N/A
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
Hillsboro
N/A
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Hispanic
Hillsboro
N/A
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Spanish at Home
Hillsboro
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Hillsboro, OR | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 129,239 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 34.5 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 45.4% | - |
| White | N/A | 31.9% | - |
| Black | N/A | 2.1% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 47.6% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 16.1% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hillsboro
N/A
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Per Capita Income
Hillsboro
N/A
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hillsboro
$63,691
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
Hillsboro
N/A
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Hillsboro
N/A
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hillsboro
N/A
Santa Rosa
65.3%
| Metric | Hillsboro, OR | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $173,670 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $84,533 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.4% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 7.8% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 65.3% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hillsboro
$522,671
Hillsboro +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Hillsboro
N/A
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Hillsboro, OR | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $522,671 | $720,443 | Hillsboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 41.2% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hillsboro
355
Hillsboro +
Santa Rosa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hillsboro
3001
Santa Rosa
2388
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Hillsboro, OR | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 503 | Hillsboro + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2388 | Santa Rosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hillsboro
32.9%
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hillsboro
9.1%
Hillsboro +
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hillsboro
17.4%
Santa Rosa
16.7%
Santa Rosa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hillsboro
9.5%
Hillsboro +
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hillsboro
15.4%
Hillsboro +
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hillsboro
10.4%
Hillsboro +
Santa Rosa
11.3%
| Metric | Hillsboro, OR | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 10.4% | Hillsboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 16.7% | Santa Rosa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 10.4% | Hillsboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 15.8% | Hillsboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 11.3% | Hillsboro + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hillsboro
51.8°F
Hillsboro +
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hillsboro
39.9 in
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Hillsboro, OR | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 59.2°F | Hillsboro + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.9 in | 32.2 in | Santa Rosa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hillsboro
9.0 µg/m³
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hillsboro
55.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Hillsboro, 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
Hillsboro
N/A
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
| Metric | Hillsboro, OR | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 25.2 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Hillsboro offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $522,671. On public safety, Hillsboro is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Rosa. 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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