Richmond 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)
Richmond, CA
California · Population: 115,396
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$608,357
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
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
Richmond
115,396
Santa Rosa
129,239
Santa Rosa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Richmond
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Richmond
37.6
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Foreign Born
Richmond
34.5%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Richmond
21.4%
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Santa Rosa +
Black
Richmond
17.3%
Richmond +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
Richmond
13.1%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Richmond
46.9%
Richmond +
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Spanish at Home
Richmond
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,396 | 129,239 | Santa Rosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 34.5 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 34.5% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 21.4% | 31.9% | Santa Rosa + |
| Black | 17.3% | 2.1% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 13.1% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 46.9% | 16.1% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Richmond
$90,038
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Richmond
$41,898
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Richmond
$77,230
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Richmond
7.0%
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poverty Rate
Richmond
13.7%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Richmond
32.6%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,898 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 4.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Richmond
$608,357
Richmond +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Richmond
52.5%
Richmond +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $608,357 | $720,443 | Richmond + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.5% | 41.2% | Richmond + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
503
Santa Rosa
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
2388
Santa Rosa
2388
Tie
| Metric | Richmond, 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
Richmond
32.9%
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
12.9%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Richmond
17.8%
Santa Rosa
16.7%
Santa Rosa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Richmond
13.9%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Richmond
14.9%
Richmond +
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Richmond
11.9%
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 16.7% | Santa Rosa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.8% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
58.5°F
Richmond +
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
24.9 in
Richmond +
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.5°F | 59.2°F | Richmond + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 24.9 in | 32.2 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Richmond
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Richmond
75.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Richmond, 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
Richmond
37.7 min
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 37.7 min | 25.2 min | Santa Rosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, while richmond offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $608,357. On public safety, Santa Rosa is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Richmond. 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 Richmond, CALos Angeles, CA vs Richmond, CAChicago, IL vs Richmond, CAHouston, TX vs Richmond, CAPhoenix, AZ vs Richmond, CAPhiladelphia, PA vs Richmond, CA