New York
New York
Pop. 8,622,467
VS
Santa Rosa
California
Pop. 178,221

Full comparison across 7 data categories from U.S. government sources

55
Overall Score /100
Wins 3 of 7 categories
51
Overall Score /100
Wins 2 of 7 categories
New York wins 3–2
based on 7 categories of official U.S. government data
⚡ TL;DR
New York wins 3–2 overall (55/100)
💰 Santa Rosa is more affordable
💼 New York has lower unemployment
🛡️ New York has fewer disasters

📋 New York vs Santa Rosa — The Verdict

New York scores 55.2/100 compared to Santa Rosa's 51/100, winning 3 out of 7 data categories. Housing costs are somewhat comparable, though Santa Rosa edges out with slightly lower home prices. For safety-conscious movers, New York has a notably lower disaster history with 12 fewer declarations in 20 years.

💡 Key Differences
🏠
Home prices in Santa Rosa are 10% lower — a difference of $70,400 in median home value.
💰
Renting in New York saves you $310/month — that's $3,720 per year.
💵
Households in Santa Rosa earn $15,997 more per year (21% higher median income).
📊
New York has a 0.9 percentage point lower unemployment rate, suggesting a stronger job market.
🛡️
New York has experienced 12 fewer federally declared disasters in the last 20 years, indicating lower overall natural disaster risk.
💰 New York vs Santa Rosa: Cost of Living Comparison
25
vs
15
Median Home Value
$732,100
$661,700
Median Rent /mo
$1,714
$2,024
Median Income
$76,607
$92,604
Electricity ¢/kWh
¢
¢
Santa Rosa edges out New York on housing costs by 10%, a difference of $70,400. Factor in rent and utilities to get the complete affordability picture.
💼 New York vs Santa Rosa: Job Market & Salaries
55
vs
40
Unemployment Rate
4.6%
5.5%
Job Growth YoY
%
%
Labor Force
N/A
N/A
Both cities offer competitive employment, with New York having a slight edge at 4.6% unemployment. Industry fit may matter more than the overall rate.
🌡️ New York vs Santa Rosa: Weather & Climate
50
vs
40
Summer High
°F
8.2°F
Winter Low
°F
4.0°F
Sunny Days /yr
Annual Rain
"
0.3"
Annual Snow
"
0.0"
📊 See Full City Rankings →
🌿 New York vs Santa Rosa: Air Quality & Environment
85
vs
100
Air Quality (AQI)
0
4 Good
Toxic Facilities (TRI)
0
0
Water Violations
0
0
Environmental conditions are broadly similar between the two cities based on current EPA monitoring data.
🌐 New York vs Santa Rosa: Internet & Infrastructure
50
vs
50
Max Internet Speed
N/A Mbps
N/A Mbps
ISP Providers
0
0
Fiber Available
❌ No
❌ No
Solar Potential (kWh/m²/day)
Internet and utility infrastructure data helps assess remote work viability and monthly overhead costs in each city.
⚠️ New York vs Santa Rosa: Natural Disaster Risk
95
vs
95
Disasters (20 years)
9
21
Flood Zone
None
None
Earthquake Risk
Low
Low
Hurricane Risk
High
Low
New York has a markedly lower disaster history — 12 fewer federal declarations over 20 years. This can translate to lower insurance premiums and less disruption to daily life.

❓ Moving from New York to Santa Rosa: Common Questions

Is New York or Santa Rosa cheaper to live in?
Santa Rosa is more affordable overall. Home prices are $70,400 lower in Santa Rosa. Monthly rent is $1,714 in New York vs $2,024 in Santa Rosa.
Does New York or Santa Rosa have better weather?
New York scores higher on climate (50/100 vs 40/100).
Is New York or Santa Rosa better for finding a job?
New York currently has a stronger job market. Unemployment is 4.6% in New York vs 5.5% in Santa Rosa. Median household income is $76,607 in New York and $92,604 in Santa Rosa.
Which city is safer — New York or Santa Rosa?
In terms of natural disaster risk, New York is safer. New York has had 9 federal disaster declarations in 20 years vs 21 in Santa Rosa. New York scores 95/100 on safety vs 95/100 for Santa Rosa.
Should I move from New York to Santa Rosa?
Based on our data, New York scores 55.2/100 vs Santa Rosa's 51.0/100 overall. The best choice depends on your priorities — New York is more affordable, while New York has a better climate.

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📊 Data: U.S. Census Bureau (ACS), Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), NOAA Climate Normals, EPA AirNow & TRI, NREL PVWatts, FEMA Disaster Declarations, FCC Broadband Data. Last updated: April 4, 2026.