Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Santa Rosa, CA
VS
Warren, MI
🏆 Santa Rosa leads 14 of 23 categories
Santa Rosa
California
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
110.1⚠ High
Median Household Income
$92,604 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
90 ✓ Safer
Population
178,221 ✓ Larger
Warren
Michigan
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$61,633
Violent Crime Index
143⚠ High
Population
138,588
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Santa Rosa, CA
Pros
Households earn $30,971 more per year on average
37% less violent crime than Warren
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.8 pts lower (5.6%)
Milder winters — January highs near 60°F vs 32°F
More college-educated — 34.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $661,700
Higher rents — median is $2,024/mo
Cost of living runs 12% higher than Warren
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 110.1)
Warren, MI
Pros
Homes cost $492k less ($169,300 vs $661,700)
Rent averages $885/mo less ($1,139 vs $2,024)
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Santa Rosa
Smaller class sizes — 16.7:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Santa Rosa by $30,971/yr
Violent crime (541.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (7.4% vs 5.6%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Santa Rosa
Median Income
$30,971
$92,604 vs $61,633/yr
Santa Rosa
Violent Crime
37% lower
342.6 vs 541.8 per 100k
Santa Rosa
Unemployment
1.8 pp lower
5.6% vs 7.4% unemployment
Warren
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 98.0 vs 110.1 (100 = US avg)
Warren
Median Home Value
$492k less
$169,300 vs $661,700
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Warren, MI |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 110.1⚠ High | 98.0 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $661,700⚠ High | $169,300 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,024⚠ High | $1,139 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $92,604 ✓ Higher | $61,633 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.4%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.7 min ✓ Shorter | 25.9 min |
| Work From Home % | 8.9% ✓ Higher | 8.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 79 ✓ Safer | 115⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 90 ✓ Safer | 143⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 63 ✓ Safer | 74 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (90) ✓ Better | C+ (89) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.5:1 | 16.7:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 34.7% ✓ Higher | 19.9% |
| High School or Higher | 85.4% | 86.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Rincon Valley Union Elementary | Warren Consolidated Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 59.7°F ✓ Warmer | 32.4°F |
| Avg High — July | 81.6°F | 83.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 31.5" | 29.9" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 27.9" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 178,221 ✓ Larger | 138,588 |
| Median Age | 40.4 ✓ Older | 38.5 |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 71.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.5% | 21.1% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 18.3% ✓ More | 16.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Santa Rosa's cost of living index is 110.1 vs Warren's 98.0 (US average = 100).
Warren is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Santa Rosa leads 14 of 23 categories. Santa Rosa wins 14 and Warren 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 Santa Rosa to Warren or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($661,700 vs $169,300 median home), income ($92,604 vs $61,633), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Santa Rosa, CA and Warren, MI are about 2,085 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.