Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
VS
Santa Rosa, CA
🏆 Rancho Cucamonga leads 13 of 22 categories
Rancho Cucamonga
California
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
107.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$105,534 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
77 ✓ Safer
Population
174,696
Santa Rosa
California
9
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.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Pros
14% less violent crime than Santa Rosa
Households earn $12,930 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 68°F vs 60°F
2% cheaper overall cost of living than Santa Rosa
Cons
Longer commutes — 33.0 min average each way
Higher rents — median is $2,184/mo
Santa Rosa, CA
Pros
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
Cooler summers — July highs near 82°F vs 94°F
Rent averages $160/mo less ($2,024 vs $2,184)
Smaller class sizes — 19.5:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Rancho Cucamonga by $12,930/yr
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 110.1)
Cost of living runs 2% higher than Rancho Cucamonga
Key Differences at a Glance
Rancho Cucamonga
Cost of Living
2% cheaper
COL index 107.9 vs 110.1 (100 = US avg)
Rancho Cucamonga
Median Income
$12,930
$105,534 vs $92,604/yr
Rancho Cucamonga
Violent Crime
14% lower
293.7 vs 342.6 per 100k
Rancho Cucamonga
Summer Heat
12.2°F warmer
July avg high 93.8°F vs 81.6°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Santa Rosa, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 107.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 110.1⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $657,400⚠ High ✓ Lower | $661,700⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,184⚠ High | $2,024⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $105,534 ✓ Higher | $92,604 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 33.0 min⚠ High | 22.7 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 10.4% ✓ Higher | 8.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 81 | 79 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 77 ✓ Safer | 90 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 86 | 63 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (83) | B- (90) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 25.1:1 | 19.5:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 37.0% ✓ Higher | 34.7% |
| High School or Higher | 91.8% ✓ Higher | 85.4% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Alta Loma Elementary | Rincon Valley Union Elementary |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 67.7°F ✓ Warmer | 59.7°F |
| Avg High — July | 93.8°F ✓ Warmer | 81.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 17.2" ✓ Drier | 31.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 174,696 | 178,221 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 40.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% ✓ Higher | 55.7% |
| Under 18 | 22.7% ✓ More | 20.5% |
| Over 65 | 13.2% | 18.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Rancho Cucamonga's cost of living index is 107.9 vs Santa Rosa's 110.1 (US average = 100).
Rancho Cucamonga is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Rancho Cucamonga leads 13 of 22 categories. Rancho Cucamonga wins 13 and Santa Rosa wins 9. 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 Rancho Cucamonga to Santa Rosa or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($657,400 vs $661,700 median home), income ($105,534 vs $92,604), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA and Santa Rosa, CA are about 413 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.