Newark NJ 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)
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
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
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Santa Rosa
129,239
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newark
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Newark
34.8
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Foreign Born
Newark
34.9%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Newark
16.5%
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Santa Rosa +
Black
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
Newark
1.9%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Spanish at Home
Newark
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | 129,239 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 34.5 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 34.9% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 16.5% | 31.9% | Santa Rosa + |
| Black | 46.7% | 2.1% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 16.1% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newark
$48,416
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Newark
$25,509
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Newark
10.9%
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poverty Rate
Newark
24.7%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newark
17.4%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,416 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,509 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $77,230 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9% | 4.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.4% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newark
$482,675
Newark +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Newark
24.1%
Santa Rosa
41.2%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $482,675 | $720,443 | Newark + |
| Homeownership Rate | 24.1% | 41.2% | Santa Rosa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
218
Newark +
Santa Rosa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
1426
Newark +
Santa Rosa
2388
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 503 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 2388 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
35.9%
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.6%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newark
20.0%
Santa Rosa
16.7%
Santa Rosa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newark
23.4%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newark
18.2%
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 16.7% | Santa Rosa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.8% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 11.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
54.9°F
Newark +
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
46.3 in
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9°F | 59.2°F | Newark + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 32.2 in | Santa Rosa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newark
75.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Rosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newark
35.9 min
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.9 min | 25.2 min | Santa Rosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, while newark offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $482,675. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 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, Santa Rosa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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