Houston TX 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Santa Rosa
129,239
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Santa Rosa
34.5
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Houston
35.5%
Houston +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 129,239 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 34.5 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 35.5% | 31.9% | Houston + |
| Black | 22.9% | 2.1% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 16.1% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Houston +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $720,443 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 41.2% | Houston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Houston +
Santa Rosa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Houston +
Santa Rosa
2388
| Metric | Houston, TX | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Houston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Houston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Santa Rosa
16.7%
Santa Rosa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Santa Rosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 16.7% | Santa Rosa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 11.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 59.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 32.2 in | Santa Rosa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Rosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Rosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 25.2 min | Santa Rosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Houston is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 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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