Santa Rosa CA vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Santa Rosa
129,239
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Santa Rosa
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Hispanic
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Santa Rosa +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Santa Rosa
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,239 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 37.4 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 45.4% | 9.1% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 31.9% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 2.1% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 47.6% | 7.2% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 8.9% | Santa Rosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Per Capita Income
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
Virginia Beach
40.4%
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $173,670 | $90,685 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $84,533 | $47,372 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,581 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.8% | 8.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.3% | 40.4% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Virginia Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Santa Rosa
41.2%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $720,443 | $427,121 | Virginia Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Rosa
503
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Rosa
2388
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Santa Rosa
16.7%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Santa Rosa +
Virginia Beach
12.1%
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 36.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 11.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 16.7% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 12.1% | Santa Rosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa +
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Santa Rosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.2 min | 25.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, while virginia Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,121. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Rosa. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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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