Pasadena CA 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)
Pasadena, CA
California · Population: 67,231
- Median HH Income$220,408
- Median Home Price$1,215,642
- Unemployment3.7%
- Bachelor's+82.4%
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
Pasadena
67,231
Santa Rosa
129,239
Santa Rosa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pasadena
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Pasadena
42.5
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Foreign Born
Pasadena
36.3%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Pasadena
48.4%
Pasadena +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Pasadena
2.2%
Pasadena +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
Pasadena
36.1%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Pasadena
7.1%
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Santa Rosa +
Spanish at Home
Pasadena
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,231 | 129,239 | Santa Rosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 34.5 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 36.3% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 48.4% | 31.9% | Pasadena + |
| Black | 2.2% | 2.1% | Pasadena + |
| Asian | 36.1% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 7.1% | 16.1% | Santa Rosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pasadena
$220,408
Pasadena +
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Per Capita Income
Pasadena
$121,565
Pasadena +
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pasadena
$77,230
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Pasadena
3.7%
Pasadena +
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Pasadena
5.4%
Pasadena +
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pasadena
82.4%
Pasadena +
Santa Rosa
65.3%
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $220,408 | $173,670 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $121,565 | $84,533 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% | 4.4% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.4% | 7.8% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 82.4% | 65.3% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pasadena
$1,215,642
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Santa Rosa +
Homeownership Rate
Pasadena
54.2%
Pasadena +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,215,642 | $720,443 | Santa Rosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 41.2% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
503
Santa Rosa
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
2388
Santa Rosa
2388
Tie
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
24.2%
Pasadena +
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
10.7%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pasadena
14.9%
Pasadena +
Santa Rosa
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
8.2%
Pasadena +
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
15.4%
Pasadena +
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
9.2%
Pasadena +
Santa Rosa
11.3%
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.2% | 26.5% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 16.7% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 10.4% | Pasadena + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 15.8% | Pasadena + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 11.3% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
67.0°F
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Santa Rosa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
21.2 in
Pasadena +
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.0°F | 59.2°F | Santa Rosa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 21.2 in | 32.2 in | Pasadena + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pasadena
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pasadena
75.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pasadena
24.8 min
Pasadena +
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 25.2 min | Pasadena + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $220,408, while santa Rosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $720,443. On public safety, Santa Rosa is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Santa Rosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pasadena scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Pasadena, CALos Angeles, CA vs Pasadena, CAChicago, IL vs Pasadena, CAHouston, TX vs Pasadena, CAPasadena, CA vs Phoenix, AZPasadena, CA vs Philadelphia, PA