Moving to
Santa Rosa.

$2,152/mo median rent

Rent is expensive here, at $2,152 a month median and well above the national average. This is the kind of city where housing costs deserve serious budgeting before committing to a move. Home prices are steep, with a median around $713,900. Renting first to get a feel for the city before buying is often the more practical route.

4.5% unemployment

Unemployment here is 4.5%, close to the national average of 4.3%.

292 violent crimes per 100k

Crime runs about typical for a city this size. Some neighborhoods are safer than others, and one overall rate doesn't tell the whole story, so a neighborhood-level look matters more than the headline stat.

23 min average commute

Commutes are reasonable, averaging 22.9 minutes. Nothing heroic, and there's still time left over for a life after work. 8 in 10 workers drive to work; 12% work from home.

4 hospitals

There are 4 Medicare-certified hospitals inside city limits. They average 3.7 out of 5 on Medicare's star rating.

35% bachelor's degree or higher

Education levels run about average, with 35% college-educated. It's a mix of white-collar and blue-collar work, which can be an asset or a limitation depending on the field.

49 public schools inside the boundary

There are 49 public schools inside the boundary and 8 private schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 20:1, above the national average of 16:1.

The nearest national park or historic site is Point Reyes National Seashore (29 miles away). There are 8 national parks and sites within a day's drive.