Santa Rosa CA vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Santa Rosa
129,239
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Santa Rosa
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Santa Rosa
34.5
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
Waco
9.8%
White
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Santa Rosa
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,239 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 45.4% | 9.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 31.9% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 2.1% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 47.6% | 2.0% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Waco
4.4%
Tie
Poverty Rate
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $173,670 | $51,468 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $84,533 | $28,819 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.4% | Tie |
| Poverty Rate | 7.8% | 24.0% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.3% | 28.6% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Santa Rosa
41.2%
Waco
48.9%
Waco +
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $720,443 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 48.9% | Waco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Rosa
503
Waco
442
Waco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Rosa
2388
Waco
2339
Waco +
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Waco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Waco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Santa Rosa
16.7%
Santa Rosa +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Santa Rosa +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Santa Rosa +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 36.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 13.0% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 20.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 20.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.2% | Santa Rosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 15.1% | Santa Rosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Santa Rosa +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
Santa Rosa +
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.2°F | 66.6°F | Santa Rosa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.2 in | 36.4 in | Santa Rosa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Santa Rosa +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 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
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.2 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Waco is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Rosa. Waco 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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