Santa Rosa CA vs West Palm Beach FL — 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%
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Santa Rosa
129,239
Santa Rosa +
West Palm Beach
119,508
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Santa Rosa
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
West Palm Beach
27.2%
White
Santa Rosa
31.9%
West Palm Beach
44.0%
West Palm Beach +
Black
Santa Rosa
2.1%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
West Palm Beach
2.5%
Hispanic
Santa Rosa
16.1%
West Palm Beach
24.6%
West Palm Beach +
Spanish at Home
Santa Rosa
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,239 | 119,508 | Santa Rosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 40.2 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 45.4% | 27.2% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 31.9% | 44.0% | West Palm Beach + |
| Black | 2.1% | 31.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Asian | 47.6% | 2.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 24.6% | West Palm Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
West Palm Beach
$69,261
Per Capita Income
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
West Palm Beach
$44,508
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
West Palm Beach
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
West Palm Beach
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
West Palm Beach
14.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
West Palm Beach
37.6%
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $173,670 | $69,261 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $84,533 | $44,508 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 5.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.8% | 14.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.3% | 37.6% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Santa Rosa
$720,443
West Palm Beach
$399,650
West Palm Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Santa Rosa
41.2%
West Palm Beach
50.2%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $720,443 | $399,650 | West Palm Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 50.2% | West Palm Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Rosa
503
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Rosa
2388
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | West Palm Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
West Palm Beach
29.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Santa Rosa
16.7%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Santa Rosa
15.8%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Santa Rosa +
West Palm Beach
13.0%
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 29.1% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 13.7% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 16.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 16.9% | Santa Rosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 13.0% | Santa Rosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Santa Rosa +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
Santa Rosa +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.2°F | 75.4°F | Santa Rosa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.2 in | 62.3 in | Santa Rosa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Santa Rosa
75.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | West Palm Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.2 min | 25.0 min | West Palm Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, while west Palm Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,650. On public safety, West Palm Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Rosa. Santa Rosa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Rosa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Santa Rosa, CALos Angeles, CA vs Santa Rosa, CAChicago, IL vs Santa Rosa, CAHouston, TX vs Santa Rosa, CAPhoenix, AZ vs Santa Rosa, CAPhiladelphia, PA vs Santa Rosa, CA