Rancho Cucamonga 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)
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
California · Population: 174,693
- Median HH Income$109,511
- Median Home Price$791,317
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+37.3%
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
Rancho Cucamonga
174,693
Rancho Cucamonga +
Santa Rosa
129,239
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Rancho Cucamonga
37.9
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Foreign Born
Rancho Cucamonga
21.1%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Rancho Cucamonga
44.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Rancho Cucamonga
8.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
Rancho Cucamonga
15.4%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Rancho Cucamonga
38.5%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Spanish at Home
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 174,693 | 129,239 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 34.5 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 21.1% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 44.0% | 31.9% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Black | 8.3% | 2.1% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Asian | 15.4% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 38.5% | 16.1% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rancho Cucamonga
$109,511
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Rancho Cucamonga
$45,626
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rancho Cucamonga
$77,230
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Rancho Cucamonga
5.8%
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poverty Rate
Rancho Cucamonga
8.0%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rancho Cucamonga
37.3%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $109,511 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,626 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.0% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rancho Cucamonga
$791,317
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Santa Rosa +
Homeownership Rate
Rancho Cucamonga
63.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $791,317 | $720,443 | Santa Rosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 41.2% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rancho Cucamonga
503
Santa Rosa
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rancho Cucamonga
2388
Santa Rosa
2388
Tie
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, 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
Rancho Cucamonga
30.0%
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rancho Cucamonga
10.5%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rancho Cucamonga
16.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Santa Rosa
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rancho Cucamonga
8.8%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rancho Cucamonga
15.8%
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rancho Cucamonga
10.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Santa Rosa
11.3%
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.0% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 16.7% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 10.4% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.8% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 11.3% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | 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.)
Rancho Cucamonga
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rancho Cucamonga
75.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, 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
Rancho Cucamonga
34.6 min
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.6 min | 25.2 min | Santa Rosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, 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 Rancho Cucamonga. Santa Rosa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, 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 Rancho Cucamonga, CALos Angeles, CA vs Rancho Cucamonga, CAChicago, IL vs Rancho Cucamonga, CAHouston, TX vs Rancho Cucamonga, CAPhoenix, AZ vs Rancho Cucamonga, CAPhiladelphia, PA vs Rancho Cucamonga, CA