Plano TX 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)
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
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
Plano
287,339
Plano +
Santa Rosa
129,239
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Plano
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Plano
39.3
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Foreign Born
Plano
28.7%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Plano
53.2%
Plano +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Plano
9.0%
Plano +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
Plano
22.6%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Plano
16.2%
Plano +
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Spanish at Home
Plano
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Plano, TX | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 287,339 | 129,239 | Plano + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 34.5 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 28.7% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 53.2% | 31.9% | Plano + |
| Black | 9.0% | 2.1% | Plano + |
| Asian | 22.6% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 16.2% | 16.1% | Plano + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Plano
$108,649
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Plano
$57,753
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Plano
$63,758
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Plano
59.2%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Plano, TX | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,649 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,753 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 4.4% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.1% | 7.8% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Plano
$507,575
Plano +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Plano
56.6%
Plano +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Plano, TX | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $507,575 | $720,443 | Plano + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.6% | 41.2% | Plano + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Plano
442
Plano +
Santa Rosa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Plano
2339
Plano +
Santa Rosa
2388
| Metric | Plano, TX | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Plano + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Plano + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Plano
31.2%
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Plano
9.9%
Plano +
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
Santa Rosa
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Plano
10.3%
Plano +
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Plano
16.4%
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Santa Rosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
Santa Rosa
11.3%
| Metric | Plano, TX | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 10.4% | Plano + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.0% | 16.7% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 10.4% | Plano + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 15.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 11.3% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Plano
N/A
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Plano
N/A
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
| Metric | Plano, TX | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 59.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 32.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Plano
55.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Plano, TX | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Rosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Rosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Plano
27.6 min
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Plano, TX | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.6 min | 25.2 min | Santa Rosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, while plano offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $507,575. On public safety, Plano is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Rosa. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Plano, TXLos Angeles, CA vs Plano, TXChicago, IL vs Plano, TXHouston, TX vs Plano, TXPhoenix, AZ vs Plano, TXPhiladelphia, PA vs Plano, TX