Manchester NH 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)
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
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
Manchester
115,415
Santa Rosa
129,239
Santa Rosa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Manchester
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Manchester
37.9
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Foreign Born
Manchester
14.8%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Manchester
5.3%
Manchester +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
Manchester
4.6%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Manchester
13.5%
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Santa Rosa +
Spanish at Home
Manchester
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,415 | 129,239 | Santa Rosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 34.5 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 14.8% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 76.7% | 31.9% | Manchester + |
| Black | 5.3% | 2.1% | Manchester + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 13.5% | 16.1% | Santa Rosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Manchester
$77,415
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Manchester
$44,220
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Manchester
$75,331
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Manchester
10.7%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Manchester
33.5%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,415 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,220 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $75,331 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 4.4% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.7% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Manchester
$441,257
Manchester +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Manchester
49.3%
Manchester +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $441,257 | $720,443 | Manchester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.3% | 41.2% | Manchester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Santa Rosa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
Santa Rosa
2388
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 134 | 503 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1048 | 2388 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
35.0%
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Manchester
17.4%
Santa Rosa
16.7%
Santa Rosa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.9%
Manchester +
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Manchester
16.4%
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Santa Rosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Manchester
12.9%
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.0% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 10.4% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 16.7% | Santa Rosa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 10.4% | Manchester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 15.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
49.2°F
Manchester +
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
44.6 in
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 59.2°F | Manchester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.6 in | 32.2 in | Santa Rosa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Manchester
75.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Manchester
25.7 min
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.7 min | 25.2 min | Santa Rosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, while manchester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $441,257. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Rosa. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Rosa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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