Richmond VA 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, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
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
227,595
Richmond +
Santa Rosa
129,239
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Richmond
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Richmond
34.5
Santa Rosa
34.5
Tie
Foreign Born
Richmond
8.6%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Richmond
43.2%
Richmond +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
Richmond
2.1%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Richmond
10.3%
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Santa Rosa +
Spanish at Home
Richmond
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 227,595 | 129,239 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 34.5 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 43.2% | 31.9% | Richmond + |
| Black | 42.0% | 2.1% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 10.3% | 16.1% | Santa Rosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Richmond
$62,671
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Richmond
$44,249
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Richmond
$69,581
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
Richmond
6.0%
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poverty Rate
Richmond
18.8%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Richmond
44.1%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,671 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,249 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Richmond
$374,265
Richmond +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Richmond
43.5%
Richmond +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $374,265 | $720,443 | Richmond + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.5% | 41.2% | Richmond + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Santa Rosa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
Santa Rosa
2388
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 503 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2388 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
36.7%
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
12.3%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Richmond
18.8%
Santa Rosa
16.7%
Santa Rosa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Richmond
10.7%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Richmond
16.2%
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Santa Rosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Richmond
13.9%
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.7% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.7% | Santa Rosa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
58.9°F
Richmond +
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
43.6 in
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | 59.2°F | Richmond + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 32.2 in | Santa Rosa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Richmond
75.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Rosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Richmond
23.6 min
Richmond +
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 25.2 min | Richmond + |
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 $374,265. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Rosa. 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%.
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