Roanoke 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)
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
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
Roanoke
98,677
Santa Rosa
129,239
Santa Rosa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Roanoke
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Roanoke
38.0
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Foreign Born
Roanoke
7.5%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
Roanoke
3.1%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Roanoke
8.6%
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Santa Rosa +
Spanish at Home
Roanoke
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,677 | 129,239 | Santa Rosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 34.5 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 7.5% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 57.5% | 31.9% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 29.0% | 2.1% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 16.1% | Santa Rosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Roanoke
$52,671
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Roanoke
$34,792
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Roanoke
$69,581
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
Roanoke
5.5%
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poverty Rate
Roanoke
19.7%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Roanoke
28.9%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,671 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,792 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.9% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Roanoke
51.7%
Roanoke +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,668 | $720,443 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.7% | 41.2% | Roanoke + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Santa Rosa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
Santa Rosa
2388
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 503 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2388 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
41.9%
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.9%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Roanoke
18.4%
Santa Rosa
16.7%
Santa Rosa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
11.0%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
16.7%
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 16.7% | Santa Rosa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 15.8% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 11.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
56.0°F
Roanoke +
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
44.5 in
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 59.2°F | Roanoke + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.5 in | 32.2 in | Santa Rosa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Roanoke
75.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Roanoke, 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
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 25.2 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, while roanoke offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,668. On public safety, Roanoke 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%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Roanoke, VALos Angeles, CA vs Roanoke, VAChicago, IL vs Roanoke, VAHouston, TX vs Roanoke, VAPhoenix, AZ vs Roanoke, VAPhiladelphia, PA vs Roanoke, VA