Miami 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)
Miami, FL
Florida · Population: 446,663
- Median HH Income$59,390
- Median Home Price$580,996
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.6%
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
Miami
446,663
Miami +
Santa Rosa
129,239
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Miami
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Miami
39.7
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Foreign Born
Miami
57.7%
Miami +
Santa Rosa
45.4%
White
Miami
34.2%
Miami +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Miami
13.7%
Miami +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
Miami
1.6%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Miami
71.2%
Miami +
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Spanish at Home
Miami
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Miami, FL | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 446,663 | 129,239 | Miami + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 34.5 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 57.7% | 45.4% | Miami + |
| White | 34.2% | 31.9% | Miami + |
| Black | 13.7% | 2.1% | Miami + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 71.2% | 16.1% | Miami + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Miami
$59,390
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Miami
$42,528
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Miami
$65,328
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
Miami
5.0%
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poverty Rate
Miami
19.2%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Miami
35.6%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,390 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,528 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.6% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Miami
$580,996
Miami +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Miami
30.7%
Santa Rosa
41.2%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $580,996 | $720,443 | Miami + |
| Homeownership Rate | 30.7% | 41.2% | Santa Rosa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami
324
Miami +
Santa Rosa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami
1453
Miami +
Santa Rosa
2388
| Metric | Miami, FL | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 503 | Miami + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2388 | Miami + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami
29.9%
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami
15.5%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Miami
15.0%
Miami +
Santa Rosa
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Miami
27.2%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Miami
15.3%
Miami +
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Miami
12.3%
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.9% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 16.7% | Miami + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.8% | Miami + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 11.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami
75.8°F
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Santa Rosa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami
64.1 in
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.8°F | 59.2°F | Santa Rosa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.1 in | 32.2 in | Santa Rosa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Miami
7.2 µg/m³
Miami +
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Miami
75.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Miami, FL | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Miami + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Miami
29.9 min
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.9 min | 25.2 min | Santa Rosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, while miami offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $580,996. On public safety, Miami 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 Miami 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%.
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