Madison WI 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)
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
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
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Santa Rosa
129,239
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Madison
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Santa Rosa
34.5
Foreign Born
Madison
11.6%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Madison
7.1%
Madison +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
Madison
8.0%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Madison
9.3%
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Santa Rosa +
Spanish at Home
Madison
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 129,239 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 34.5 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 73.0% | 31.9% | Madison + |
| Black | 7.1% | 2.1% | Madison + |
| Asian | 8.0% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 16.1% | Santa Rosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Madison
$76,983
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Madison
$48,557
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Madison
$61,837
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Madison
16.2%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Madison
59.2%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,983 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,557 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 4.4% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Madison
$429,253
Madison +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Madison
46.6%
Madison +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,253 | $720,443 | Madison + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 41.2% | Madison + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
309
Madison +
Santa Rosa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
1392
Madison +
Santa Rosa
2388
| Metric | Madison, WI | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 503 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 2388 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
32.7%
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
Santa Rosa
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Madison
20.8%
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Santa Rosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
Santa Rosa
11.3%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 10.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 16.7% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 10.4% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.8% | 15.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 11.3% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
37.3 in
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.7°F | 59.2°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.3 in | 32.2 in | Santa Rosa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Madison
55.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Rosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Rosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
| Metric | Madison, WI | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 25.2 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, while madison offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,253. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Rosa. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Madison, WI vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Madison, WIChicago, IL vs Madison, WIHouston, TX vs Madison, WIMadison, WI vs Phoenix, AZMadison, WI vs Philadelphia, PA