Santa Rosa CA vs Scottsdale AZ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Santa Rosa, CA
California · Population: 129,239
- Median HH Income$173,670
- Median Home Price$720,443
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+65.3%
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Santa Rosa
129,239
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Santa Rosa
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
Scottsdale
11.2%
White
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Santa Rosa +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Scottsdale
5.1%
Hispanic
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Santa Rosa +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Spanish at Home
Santa Rosa
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,239 | 242,169 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 49.2 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 45.4% | 11.2% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 31.9% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 2.1% | 2.0% | Santa Rosa + |
| Asian | 47.6% | 5.1% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 9.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Scottsdale
$107,372
Per Capita Income
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Scottsdale
$82,697
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Scottsdale
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
Scottsdale
61.5%
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $173,670 | $107,372 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $84,533 | $82,697 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.8% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.3% | 61.5% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Santa Rosa +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Santa Rosa
41.2%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $720,443 | $858,307 | Santa Rosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Rosa
503
Scottsdale
450
Scottsdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Rosa
2388
Scottsdale
2150
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Scottsdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Scottsdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Santa Rosa
16.7%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Santa Rosa +
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.2°F | 72.5°F | Santa Rosa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.2 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.2 min | 23.2 min | Scottsdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, while santa Rosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $720,443. On public safety, Scottsdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Rosa. Scottsdale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Scottsdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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