Santa Rosa CA vs Springfield IL — 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%
Springfield, IL
Illinois · Population: 113,714
- Median HH Income$65,537
- Median Home Price$168,312
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+35.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Santa Rosa
129,239
Santa Rosa +
Springfield
113,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Santa Rosa
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Springfield
40.7
Foreign Born
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
Springfield
4.5%
White
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Springfield
70.5%
Springfield +
Black
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Springfield
19.8%
Springfield +
Asian
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Springfield
2.9%
Hispanic
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Santa Rosa +
Springfield
3.4%
Spanish at Home
Santa Rosa
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,239 | 113,714 | Santa Rosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 40.7 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 45.4% | 4.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 31.9% | 70.5% | Springfield + |
| Black | 2.1% | 19.8% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 47.6% | 2.9% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 3.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Springfield
$65,537
Per Capita Income
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Springfield
$41,110
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Springfield
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Springfield
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Springfield
16.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
Springfield
35.1%
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $173,670 | $65,537 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $84,533 | $41,110 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $68,110 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 6.7% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.8% | 16.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.3% | 35.1% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Santa Rosa
41.2%
Springfield
63.4%
Springfield +
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $720,443 | $168,312 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 63.4% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Rosa
503
Springfield
344
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Rosa
2388
Springfield
1842
Springfield +
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 344 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1842 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Springfield
41.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Springfield
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Santa Rosa
16.7%
Santa Rosa +
Springfield
17.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Santa Rosa +
Springfield
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Santa Rosa +
Springfield
14.7%
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 41.1% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 12.9% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 17.3% | Santa Rosa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 8.2% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.7% | Santa Rosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 14.7% | Santa Rosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
Santa Rosa +
Springfield
37.7 in
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.2 in | 37.7 in | Santa Rosa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa +
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Santa Rosa +
Springfield
55.0%
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Santa Rosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Santa Rosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
Springfield
19.4 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.2 min | 19.4 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $168,312. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 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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