Santa Rosa CA vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Santa Rosa
129,239
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Santa Rosa
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Seattle
35.5
Foreign Born
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
Seattle
19.9%
White
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Seattle
6.6%
Seattle +
Asian
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Seattle
17.2%
Hispanic
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Santa Rosa +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Santa Rosa
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,239 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 35.5 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 45.4% | 19.9% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 31.9% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 2.1% | 6.6% | Seattle + |
| Asian | 47.6% | 17.2% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 8.2% | Santa Rosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Seattle
$121,984
Per Capita Income
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Seattle
$82,508
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Seattle
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Seattle
9.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $173,670 | $121,984 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $84,533 | $82,508 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.8% | 9.9% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.3% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Santa Rosa +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Santa Rosa
41.2%
Seattle
44.3%
Seattle +
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $720,443 | $871,599 | Santa Rosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 44.3% | Seattle + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Rosa
503
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Rosa
2388
Santa Rosa +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Santa Rosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Santa Rosa
16.7%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Santa Rosa +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 19.0% | Santa Rosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Seattle
52.6°F
Seattle +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
Santa Rosa +
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.2°F | 52.6°F | Seattle + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.2 in | 37.5 in | Santa Rosa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
Santa Rosa +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.2 min | 28.8 min | Santa Rosa + |
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, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Rosa. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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