Head-to-Head · City Comparison
San Tan Valley, AZ
VS
Santa Rosa, CA
🏆 San Tan Valley leads 14 of 22 categories
San Tan Valley
Arizona
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$88,466
Violent Crime Index
62 ✓ Safer
Population
101,207
Santa Rosa
California
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
110.1⚠ High
Median Household Income
$92,604 ✓ Higher
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.
San Tan Valley, AZ
Pros
Homes cost $358k less ($304,000 vs $661,700)
31% less violent crime than Santa Rosa
Violent crime is well below the national average (235.7 vs 380/100k)
Rent averages $295/mo less ($1,729 vs $2,024)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.1 pts lower (4.5%)
10% cheaper overall cost of living than Santa Rosa
Cons
Longer commutes — 36.2 min average each way
Hot summers — July highs average 104°F
Median income trails Santa Rosa by $4,138/yr
Santa Rosa, CA
Pros
Commutes run 14 min shorter each way
Cooler summers — July highs near 82°F vs 104°F
More college-educated — 34.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Households earn $4,138 more per year on average
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $661,700
Higher rents — median is $2,024/mo
Cost of living runs 10% higher than San Tan Valley
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 110.1)
Key Differences at a Glance
San Tan Valley
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 100.0 vs 110.1 (100 = US avg)
San Tan Valley
Violent Crime
31% lower
235.7 vs 342.6 per 100k
San Tan Valley
Median Home Value
$358k less
$304,000 vs $661,700
San Tan Valley
Unemployment
1.1 pp lower
4.5% vs 5.6% unemployment
San Tan Valley
Summer Heat
22.6°F warmer
July avg high 104.2°F vs 81.6°F
Santa Rosa
Median Income
$4,138
$92,604 vs $88,466/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | San Tan Valley, AZ | Santa Rosa, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 100.0 ✓ Cheaper | 110.1⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $304,000 ✓ Lower | $661,700⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,729⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,024⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $88,466 | $92,604 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 36.2 min⚠ High | 22.7 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 13.5% ✓ Higher | 8.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 56 ✓ Safer | 79 |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 62 ✓ Safer | 90 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 46 ✓ Safer | 63 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (83) | B- (90) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.9:1 | 19.5:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.0% | 34.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 92.3% ✓ Higher | 85.4% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | J O Combs Unified School District (4445) | Rincon Valley Union Elementary |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 65.6°F ✓ Warmer | 59.7°F |
| Avg High — July | 104.2°F ✓ Warmer | 81.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 8.6" ✓ Drier | 31.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 101,207 | 178,221 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 40.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 80.4% ✓ Higher | 55.7% |
| Under 18 | 28.3% ✓ More | 20.5% |
| Over 65 | 11.7% | 18.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
San Tan Valley's cost of living index is 100.0 vs Santa Rosa's 110.1 (US average = 100).
San Tan Valley is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, San Tan Valley leads 14 of 22 categories. San Tan Valley wins 14 and Santa Rosa wins 8. 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 San Tan Valley to Santa Rosa or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($304,000 vs $661,700 median home), income ($88,466 vs $92,604), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
San Tan Valley, AZ and Santa Rosa, CA are about 722 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.