Monterey, 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.
Monterey
62.7
#1834 nationally
Santa Rosa
66.2
#1577 nationally
Monterey leads in average commute (19.1 min vs 22.7 min). Santa Rosa leads in cost of living index (163 vs 192). Monterey leads in walk score (53 vs 47).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Monterey, CA | Santa Rosa, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62.7 (#1834) | 66.2 (#1577) |
| Population | 29,116 | 175,845 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,179,065 | $715,976 |
| Median Household Income | $98,003 | $92,604 |
| Average Commute | 19.1 min | 22.7 min |
| Walk Score | 53 | 47 |
| Crime Level | 10.5 | 9.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 192 | 163 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+29.9 | D+46.2 |
D-
62.7 Score
Monterey, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,179,065
Population
29,116
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
53
Pacific
View Monterey, 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 →