Santa Rosa CA vs Wilmington DE — 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%
Wilmington, DE
Delaware · Population: 71,124
- Median HH Income$55,269
- Median Home Price$327,117
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Santa Rosa
129,239
Santa Rosa +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Santa Rosa
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Wilmington
37.0
Foreign Born
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
Wilmington
8.3%
White
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Black
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Wilmington
52.3%
Wilmington +
Asian
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Wilmington
1.6%
Hispanic
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Santa Rosa +
Wilmington
11.8%
Spanish at Home
Santa Rosa
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,239 | 71,124 | Santa Rosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 37.0 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 45.4% | 8.3% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 31.9% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Black | 2.1% | 52.3% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 47.6% | 1.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 11.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Wilmington
$55,269
Per Capita Income
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Wilmington
$38,786
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Wilmington
$64,087
Unemployment Rate
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Wilmington
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Wilmington
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
Wilmington
33.1%
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $173,670 | $55,269 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $84,533 | $38,786 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $64,087 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 7.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.8% | 23.2% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.3% | 33.1% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Wilmington
$327,117
Wilmington +
Homeownership Rate
Santa Rosa
41.2%
Wilmington
46.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $720,443 | $327,117 | Wilmington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 46.0% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Rosa
503
Wilmington
394
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Rosa
2388
Wilmington
1991
Wilmington +
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 394 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1991 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Wilmington
41.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Wilmington
16.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Santa Rosa
16.7%
Santa Rosa +
Wilmington
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Wilmington
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Wilmington
13.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Santa Rosa +
Wilmington
16.4%
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 41.0% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 16.0% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 18.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 12.7% | Santa Rosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 13.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 16.4% | Santa Rosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Wilmington
54.4°F
Wilmington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
Santa Rosa +
Wilmington
49.3 in
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.2°F | 54.4°F | Wilmington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.2 in | 49.3 in | Santa Rosa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa +
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Santa Rosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
Wilmington
25.0 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.2 min | 25.0 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, while wilmington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $327,117. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 394 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%.
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