Pueblo CO 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)
Pueblo, CO
Colorado · Population: 111,514
- Median HH Income$55,305
- Median Home Price$286,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.8%
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
Pueblo
111,514
Santa Rosa
129,239
Santa Rosa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pueblo
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Pueblo
38.1
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Foreign Born
Pueblo
4.0%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Pueblo
70.3%
Pueblo +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Pueblo
2.7%
Pueblo +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
Pueblo
0.8%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Pueblo
48.4%
Pueblo +
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Spanish at Home
Pueblo
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,514 | 129,239 | Santa Rosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 34.5 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 4.0% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 70.3% | 31.9% | Pueblo + |
| Black | 2.7% | 2.1% | Pueblo + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 16.1% | Pueblo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pueblo
$55,305
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Pueblo
$30,949
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pueblo
$76,653
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
Pueblo
5.9%
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poverty Rate
Pueblo
19.2%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Pueblo
22.8%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,305 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,949 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.8% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pueblo
$286,326
Pueblo +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Pueblo
60.8%
Pueblo +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $286,326 | $720,443 | Pueblo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.8% | 41.2% | Pueblo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pueblo
512
Santa Rosa
503
Santa Rosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pueblo
3234
Santa Rosa
2388
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 503 | Santa Rosa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2388 | Santa Rosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pueblo
33.5%
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pueblo
13.5%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pueblo
18.0%
Santa Rosa
16.7%
Santa Rosa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pueblo
18.9%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pueblo
15.6%
Pueblo +
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pueblo
15.1%
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 16.7% | Santa Rosa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.9% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.8% | Pueblo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 11.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pueblo
53.7°F
Pueblo +
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pueblo
13.0 in
Pueblo +
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7°F | 59.2°F | Pueblo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.0 in | 32.2 in | Pueblo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pueblo
6.2 µg/m³
Pueblo +
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pueblo
75.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Pueblo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pueblo
21.1 min
Pueblo +
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 25.2 min | Pueblo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, while pueblo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,326. On public safety, Santa Rosa is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Pueblo. Santa Rosa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Pueblo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Rosa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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