Pittsburgh PA 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)
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
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
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Santa Rosa
129,239
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pittsburgh
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Santa Rosa
34.5
Foreign Born
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Santa Rosa +
Spanish at Home
Pittsburgh
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 303,620 | 129,239 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 34.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 9.3% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 63.7% | 31.9% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 22.5% | 2.1% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 4.2% | 16.1% | Santa Rosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poverty Rate
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,137 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,590 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.5% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.8% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Pittsburgh
47.2%
Pittsburgh +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $240,538 | $720,443 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | 41.2% | Pittsburgh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Santa Rosa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
Santa Rosa
2388
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 503 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 2388 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pittsburgh
N/A
Santa Rosa
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Santa Rosa
11.3%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 26.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.7% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 59.2°F | Pittsburgh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.3 in | 32.2 in | Santa Rosa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Rosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Rosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Pittsburgh +
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 25.2 min | Pittsburgh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, while pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Pittsburgh is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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).
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