San Antonio TX 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)
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
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
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Santa Rosa
129,239
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Antonio
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
San Antonio
34.6
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Foreign Born
San Antonio
14.3%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
San Antonio
48.3%
San Antonio +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
San Antonio
7.0%
San Antonio +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
San Antonio
3.1%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Spanish at Home
San Antonio
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,458,954 | 129,239 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 34.5 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 14.3% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 48.3% | 31.9% | San Antonio + |
| Black | 7.0% | 2.1% | San Antonio + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 64.4% | 16.1% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Antonio
$62,917
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
San Antonio
$32,983
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Antonio
$63,758
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
San Antonio
5.8%
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poverty Rate
San Antonio
17.1%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
San Antonio
28.7%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,917 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,983 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.1% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.7% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Antonio
$251,035
San Antonio +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
San Antonio
52.4%
San Antonio +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,035 | $720,443 | San Antonio + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.4% | 41.2% | San Antonio + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Antonio
442
San Antonio +
Santa Rosa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Antonio
2339
San Antonio +
Santa Rosa
2388
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | San Antonio + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | San Antonio + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
34.9%
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
15.2%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Antonio
17.2%
Santa Rosa
16.7%
Santa Rosa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
24.5%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
16.0%
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Santa Rosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
13.0%
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.9% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 16.7% | Santa Rosa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.5% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 15.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Antonio
68.5°F
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Santa Rosa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Antonio
34.9 in
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.5°F | 59.2°F | Santa Rosa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 32.2 in | Santa Rosa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Antonio
55.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Rosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Rosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Antonio
26.5 min
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.5 min | 25.2 min | Santa Rosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, while san Antonio offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,035. On public safety, San Antonio is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 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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