Santa Rosa CA vs Sparks NV — 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%
Sparks, NV
Nevada · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$530,668
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Santa Rosa
129,239
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Santa Rosa
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Santa Rosa
34.5
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Sparks
N/A
White
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Santa Rosa
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,239 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 45.4% | N/A | - |
| White | 31.9% | N/A | - |
| Black | 2.1% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 47.6% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Sparks
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $173,670 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $84,533 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $62,696 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 7.8% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.3% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Sparks
$530,668
Sparks +
Homeownership Rate
Santa Rosa
41.2%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $720,443 | $530,668 | Sparks + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Rosa
503
Sparks
460
Sparks +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Rosa
2388
Santa Rosa +
Sparks
2417
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 460 | Sparks + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2417 | Santa Rosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Sparks
28.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Sparks
9.8%
Sparks +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Santa Rosa
16.7%
Santa Rosa +
Sparks
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Sparks
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Santa Rosa +
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Santa Rosa +
Sparks
12.9%
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 28.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.8% | Sparks + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 18.1% | Santa Rosa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 13.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 18.7% | Santa Rosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 12.9% | Santa Rosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Sparks
52.4°F
Sparks +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.2°F | 52.4°F | Sparks + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.2 in | 8.3 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.2 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Sparks offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $530,668. On public safety, Sparks is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Rosa. Sparks has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Rosa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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