New York NY 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)
New York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
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
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Santa Rosa
129,239
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New York
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
New York
38.0
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Foreign Born
New York
36.5%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
New York
35.9%
New York +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
New York
22.7%
New York +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
New York
14.6%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
New York
28.4%
New York +
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Spanish at Home
New York
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | New York, NY | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,516,202 | 129,239 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 34.5 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 36.5% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 35.9% | 31.9% | New York + |
| Black | 22.7% | 2.1% | New York + |
| Asian | 14.6% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 28.4% | 16.1% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New York
$79,713
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
New York
$50,776
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New York
$77,425
New York +
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
New York
7.7%
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poverty Rate
New York
17.4%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
New York
41.0%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | New York, NY | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,713 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,776 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,230 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 4.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.0% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New York
$816,078
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Santa Rosa +
Homeownership Rate
New York
32.8%
Santa Rosa
41.2%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | New York, NY | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $816,078 | $720,443 | Santa Rosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 32.8% | 41.2% | Santa Rosa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
434
New York +
Santa Rosa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
1736
New York +
Santa Rosa
2388
| Metric | New York, NY | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 503 | New York + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2388 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
25.1%
New York +
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
11.9%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New York
15.4%
New York +
Santa Rosa
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New York
10.6%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New York
16.9%
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Santa Rosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New York
11.4%
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | New York, NY | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.1% | 26.5% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 16.7% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 15.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
55.4°F
New York +
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
46.6 in
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | New York, NY | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.4°F | 59.2°F | New York + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6 in | 32.2 in | Santa Rosa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New York
8.1 µg/m³
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New York
75.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New York, NY | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Rosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New York
44.2 min
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | New York, NY | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 44.2 min | 25.2 min | Santa Rosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, while santa Rosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $720,443. On public safety, New York is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Rosa. 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, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
Compare More Cities
Los Angeles, CA vs New York, NYChicago, IL vs New York, NYHouston, TX vs New York, NYNew York, NY vs Phoenix, AZNew York, NY vs Philadelphia, PANew York, NY vs San Antonio, TX