Memphis TN 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)
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
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
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Santa Rosa
129,239
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Santa Rosa
34.5
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Memphis
25.0%
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Santa Rosa +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Santa Rosa +
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 129,239 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 34.5 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 25.0% | 31.9% | Santa Rosa + |
| Black | 62.9% | 2.1% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 16.1% | Santa Rosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Memphis +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $720,443 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 41.2% | Memphis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Santa Rosa
503
Santa Rosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Memphis +
Santa Rosa
2388
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 503 | Santa Rosa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2388 | Memphis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Santa Rosa
16.7%
Santa Rosa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 16.7% | Santa Rosa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.8% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 11.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Santa Rosa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 59.2°F | Santa Rosa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | 32.2 in | Santa Rosa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Rosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 25.2 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Santa Rosa is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. 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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