Jacksonville 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)
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
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
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Santa Rosa
129,239
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jacksonville
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Jacksonville
36.4
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Foreign Born
Jacksonville
12.2%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Jacksonville
51.2%
Jacksonville +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Jacksonville
30.1%
Jacksonville +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
Jacksonville
4.9%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Jacksonville
12.0%
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Santa Rosa +
Spanish at Home
Jacksonville
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 961,739 | 129,239 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 34.5 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 51.2% | 31.9% | Jacksonville + |
| Black | 30.1% | 2.1% | Jacksonville + |
| Asian | 4.9% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 12.0% | 16.1% | Santa Rosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jacksonville
$66,981
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Jacksonville
$37,269
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jacksonville
$65,328
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
Jacksonville
4.6%
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poverty Rate
Jacksonville
15.0%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jacksonville
31.9%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,981 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,269 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.9% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jacksonville
$286,396
Jacksonville +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Jacksonville
57.4%
Jacksonville +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $286,396 | $720,443 | Jacksonville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.4% | 41.2% | Jacksonville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
324
Jacksonville +
Santa Rosa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
Santa Rosa
2388
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 503 | Jacksonville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2388 | Jacksonville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
34.8%
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.2%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jacksonville
18.8%
Santa Rosa
16.7%
Santa Rosa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.9%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
15.2%
Jacksonville +
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
14.8%
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.7% | Santa Rosa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 15.8% | Jacksonville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 11.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Santa Rosa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
50.0 in
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 70.2°F | 59.2°F | Santa Rosa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 32.2 in | Santa Rosa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville +
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jacksonville
75.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Jacksonville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jacksonville
26.0 min
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 25.2 min | Santa Rosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, while jacksonville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,396. On public safety, Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville 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%.
Compare More Cities
Jacksonville, FL vs New York, NYJacksonville, FL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Jacksonville, FLHouston, TX vs Jacksonville, FLJacksonville, FL vs Phoenix, AZJacksonville, FL vs Philadelphia, PA