Riverside, CA vs Santa Rosa, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Riverside
60.4
#1938 nationally
Santa Rosa
66.2
#1577 nationally
Santa Rosa leads in crime level (9.4 vs 16.2). Santa Rosa leads in average commute (22.7 min vs 31.3 min). Riverside leads in cost of living index (140 vs 163).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Santa Rosa, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 60.4 (#1938) | 66.2 (#1577) |
| Population | 318,858 | 175,845 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $650,289 | $715,976 |
| Median Household Income | $83,448 | $92,604 |
| Average Commute | 31.3 min | 22.7 min |
| Walk Score | 43 | 47 |
| Crime Level | 16.2 | 9.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 140 | 163 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+1.3 | D+46.2 |
D-
60.4 Score
Riverside, CA
Growing California city with expanding opportunities
Median Home
$650,289
Population
318,858
Crime
High
Walk Score
43
Pacific
View Riverside, CA →
D
66.2 Score
Santa Rosa, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$715,976
Population
175,845
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
47
Pacific
View Santa Rosa, CA →
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