Reno NV 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)
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
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
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Santa Rosa
129,239
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Reno
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Reno
37.3
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Foreign Born
Reno
16.1%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Reno
63.5%
Reno +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Reno
3.2%
Reno +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
Reno
7.0%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Spanish at Home
Reno
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Reno, NV | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 268,959 | 129,239 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 34.5 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 16.1% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 63.5% | 31.9% | Reno + |
| Black | 3.2% | 2.1% | Reno + |
| Asian | 7.0% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 24.6% | 16.1% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Reno
$78,448
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Reno
$45,180
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Reno
$62,696
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
Reno
5.0%
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poverty Rate
Reno
12.5%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Reno
35.7%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Reno, NV | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,448 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,180 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.5% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.7% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Reno
$570,934
Reno +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Reno
49.4%
Reno +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Reno, NV | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,934 | $720,443 | Reno + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 41.2% | Reno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Reno
460
Reno +
Santa Rosa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Reno
2417
Santa Rosa
2388
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Reno, NV | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 503 | Reno + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 2388 | Santa Rosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Reno
28.4%
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Reno
18.5%
Santa Rosa
16.7%
Santa Rosa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Reno
13.0%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Reno
18.9%
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Santa Rosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Reno
12.8%
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Reno, NV | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 10.4% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 16.7% | Santa Rosa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.9% | 15.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 11.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Reno
53.0°F
Reno +
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
| Metric | Reno, NV | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.0°F | 59.2°F | Reno + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.3 in | 32.2 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Reno
75.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Reno, NV | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Reno
22.3 min
Reno +
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
| Metric | Reno, NV | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 25.2 min | Reno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, while reno offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $570,934. On public safety, Reno is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Rosa. Santa Rosa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 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 Reno, NVLos Angeles, CA vs Reno, NVChicago, IL vs Reno, NVHouston, TX vs Reno, NVPhoenix, AZ vs Reno, NVPhiladelphia, PA vs Reno, NV