Saint Paul MN 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)
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
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
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
Santa Rosa
129,239
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Saint Paul
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Saint Paul
33.5
Saint Paul +
Santa Rosa
34.5
Foreign Born
Saint Paul
18.7%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Saint Paul
16.2%
Saint Paul +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
Saint Paul
17.9%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Saint Paul
9.1%
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Santa Rosa +
Spanish at Home
Saint Paul
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,762 | 129,239 | Saint Paul + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 34.5 | Saint Paul + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 53.2% | 31.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Black | 16.2% | 2.1% | Saint Paul + |
| Asian | 17.9% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 9.1% | 16.1% | Santa Rosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Saint Paul
$73,055
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Saint Paul
$41,594
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Saint Paul
$69,467
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
Saint Paul
4.9%
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poverty Rate
Saint Paul
15.8%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Saint Paul
43.5%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,055 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,594 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.5% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Saint Paul
$297,021
Saint Paul +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $297,021 | $720,443 | Saint Paul + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.2% | 41.2% | Saint Paul + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Santa Rosa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
1992
Saint Paul +
Santa Rosa
2388
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 503 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 2388 | Saint Paul + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Saint Paul
N/A
Santa Rosa
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Santa Rosa
11.3%
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 26.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.7% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Saint Paul
N/A
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Saint Paul
N/A
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | 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.)
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Saint Paul
75.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Rosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Saint Paul
24.1 min
Saint Paul +
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 25.2 min | Saint Paul + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, while saint Paul offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,021. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 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).
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Saint Paul, MNLos Angeles, CA vs Saint Paul, MNChicago, IL vs Saint Paul, MNHouston, TX vs Saint Paul, MNPhoenix, AZ vs Saint Paul, MNPhiladelphia, PA vs Saint Paul, MN