Las Vegas NV 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)
Las Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 650,873
- Median HH Income$70,723
- Median Home Price$426,069
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+27.3%
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
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Santa Rosa
129,239
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Vegas
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Las Vegas
38.5
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Foreign Born
Las Vegas
20.9%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Las Vegas
49.2%
Las Vegas +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Las Vegas
11.9%
Las Vegas +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
Las Vegas
6.9%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Spanish at Home
Las Vegas
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 650,873 | 129,239 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 34.5 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 49.2% | 31.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Black | 11.9% | 2.1% | Las Vegas + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 34.1% | 16.1% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Vegas
$70,723
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Las Vegas
$38,421
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Vegas
$62,696
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
Las Vegas
7.2%
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poverty Rate
Las Vegas
14.2%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Vegas
27.3%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,723 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,421 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 4.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Vegas
$426,069
Las Vegas +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Las Vegas
55.7%
Las Vegas +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $426,069 | $720,443 | Las Vegas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 41.2% | Las Vegas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
460
Las Vegas +
Santa Rosa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
2417
Santa Rosa
2388
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 503 | Las Vegas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 2388 | Santa Rosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
32.4%
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
12.5%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Vegas
19.5%
Santa Rosa
16.7%
Santa Rosa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
17.0%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.4%
Las Vegas +
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.6%
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.4% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.5% | 16.7% | Santa Rosa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 15.8% | Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 11.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Santa Rosa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 59.2°F | Santa Rosa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 5.1 in | 32.2 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Vegas
75.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Las Vegas
27.7 min
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 25.2 min | Santa Rosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, while las Vegas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $426,069. On public safety, Las Vegas is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Rosa. Santa Rosa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Rosa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
Compare More Cities
Las Vegas, NV vs New York, NYLas Vegas, NV vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Las Vegas, NVHouston, TX vs Las Vegas, NVLas Vegas, NV vs Phoenix, AZLas Vegas, NV vs Philadelphia, PA