Provo UT 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)
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
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
Provo
114,303
Santa Rosa
129,239
Santa Rosa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Provo
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Santa Rosa
34.5
Foreign Born
Provo
12.2%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Provo
1.1%
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Santa Rosa +
Asian
Provo
2.2%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Provo
18.9%
Provo +
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Spanish at Home
Provo
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Provo, UT | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,303 | 129,239 | Santa Rosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 23.7 | 34.5 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 78.6% | 31.9% | Provo + |
| Black | 1.1% | 2.1% | Santa Rosa + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 16.1% | Provo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Provo
$62,800
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Provo
$26,755
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Provo
$60,713
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
Provo
4.7%
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poverty Rate
Provo
22.3%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Provo
45.0%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Provo, UT | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,800 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,755 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.3% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.0% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Provo
$486,127
Provo +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Provo
39.9%
Santa Rosa
41.2%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Provo, UT | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $486,127 | $720,443 | Provo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.9% | 41.2% | Santa Rosa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Provo
245
Provo +
Santa Rosa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Provo
1931
Provo +
Santa Rosa
2388
| Metric | Provo, UT | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 503 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 2388 | Provo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Provo
30.7%
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Provo
21.5%
Santa Rosa
16.7%
Santa Rosa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Provo
12.6%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
Santa Rosa
11.3%
| Metric | Provo, UT | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 10.4% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 16.7% | Santa Rosa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 15.8% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.0% | 11.3% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Provo
53.4°F
Provo +
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Provo
19.8 in
Provo +
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
| Metric | Provo, UT | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4°F | 59.2°F | Provo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.8 in | 32.2 in | Provo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Provo
75.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Provo, UT | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Provo
20.1 min
Provo +
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
| Metric | Provo, UT | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 25.2 min | Provo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, while provo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $486,127. On public safety, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Rosa. Santa Rosa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Provo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Rosa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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