Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Alafaya, FL
VS
Santa Rosa, CA
🏆 Alafaya leads 14 of 19 categories
Alafaya
Florida
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
101.1⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$93,251 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
—
Population
91,531
Santa Rosa
California
5
wins
Cost of Living Index
110.1⚠ High
Median Household Income
$92,604
Violent Crime Index
90
Population
178,221 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Alafaya, FL
Pros
Homes cost $300k less ($361,800 vs $661,700)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.2 pts lower (4.4%)
Rent averages $256/mo less ($1,768 vs $2,024)
More college-educated — 47.9% hold a bachelor's or higher
9% cheaper overall cost of living than Santa Rosa
Milder winters — January highs near 71°F vs 60°F
Cons
Longer commutes — 30.9 min average each way
Santa Rosa, CA
Pros
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
Cooler summers — July highs near 82°F vs 92°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $661,700
Higher rents — median is $2,024/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 110.1)
Higher unemployment (5.6% vs 4.4%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Alafaya
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 101.1 vs 110.1 (100 = US avg)
Alafaya
Median Income
$647
$93,251 vs $92,604/yr
Alafaya
Median Home Value
$300k less
$361,800 vs $661,700
Alafaya
Unemployment
1.2 pp lower
4.4% vs 5.6% unemployment
Alafaya
Summer Heat
10.3°F warmer
July avg high 91.9°F vs 81.6°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Alafaya, FL | Santa Rosa, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 101.1⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 110.1⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $361,800⚠ High ✓ Lower | $661,700⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,768⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,024⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $93,251 ✓ Higher | $92,604 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 30.9 min⚠ High | 22.7 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 16.2% ✓ Higher | 8.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | — | 79 |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | — | 90 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | — | 63 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (108) ✓ Better | B- (90) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 18.0:1 ✓ Smaller | 19.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 47.9% ✓ Higher | 34.7% |
| High School or Higher | 93.5% ✓ Higher | 85.4% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | ORANGE | Rincon Valley Union Elementary |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 71.2°F ✓ Warmer | 59.7°F |
| Avg High — July | 91.9°F ✓ Warmer | 81.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 56.2" | 31.5" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 91,531 | 178,221 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 40.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.4% ✓ Higher | 55.7% |
| Under 18 | 21.1% ✓ More | 20.5% |
| Over 65 | 10.8% | 18.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Alafaya's cost of living index is 101.1 vs Santa Rosa's 110.1 (US average = 100).
Alafaya is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 19 decided categories above, Alafaya leads 14 of 19 categories. Alafaya wins 14 and Santa Rosa wins 5. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Alafaya to Santa Rosa or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($361,800 vs $661,700 median home), income ($93,251 vs $92,604), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Alafaya, FL and Santa Rosa, CA are about 2,466 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.