Santa Rosa CA vs Tacoma 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Santa Rosa
129,239
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Santa Rosa
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Asian
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Tacoma
8.8%
Hispanic
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Santa Rosa +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Santa Rosa
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,239 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 37.3 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 45.4% | 12.2% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 31.9% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 2.1% | 10.5% | Tacoma + |
| Asian | 47.6% | 8.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 13.1% | Santa Rosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Tacoma
$83,857
Per Capita Income
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Tacoma
$44,756
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Tacoma
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Tacoma
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Tacoma
12.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
Tacoma
33.5%
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $173,670 | $83,857 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $84,533 | $44,756 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 5.3% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.8% | 12.0% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.3% | 33.5% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Tacoma
$496,966
Tacoma +
Homeownership Rate
Santa Rosa
41.2%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $720,443 | $496,966 | Tacoma + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Rosa
503
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Rosa
2388
Santa Rosa +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Santa Rosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Tacoma
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Santa Rosa
16.7%
Santa Rosa +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Santa Rosa +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Santa Rosa +
Tacoma
11.9%
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 37.3% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 10.9% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 18.7% | Santa Rosa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 11.9% | Santa Rosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
Santa Rosa +
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.2°F | 53.5°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.2 in | 39.2 in | Santa Rosa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
Santa Rosa +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.2 min | 31.1 min | Santa Rosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, while tacoma offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $496,966. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Rosa. Santa Rosa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Rosa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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