2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Santa Rosa, CA vs Palm Desert, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Palm Desert older or younger than people in Santa Rosa?
- The Median Age in Palm Desert is 16.2 years older than in Santa Rosa.

Are housing costs cheaper in Palm Desert or Santa Rosa?
- Palm Desert housing costs are 19.2% less expensive than Santa Rosa housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Palm Desert or Santa Rosa?
- The average commute for residents of Palm Desert is 3.4 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Santa Rosa.

Things to do in Santa Rosa?
Santa Rosa, California is situated in the heart of Sonoma County and is known for its laid-back atmosphere and charming downtown area. The city has a vibrant arts community with galleries, studios, and theaters, as well as many wineries throughout the region that offer tours. Outdoor activities abound in the area, such as biking trails, golf courses, and hiking paths to explore. The city also houses a number of restaurants that serve up delicious local dishes. With its stunning scenery and array of activities to enjoy, Santa Rosa is an ideal destination for anyone looking to get away from it all!

Things to do in Palm Desert?
Palm Desert is a city in Riverside County, California that enjoys year-round sunshine and is a popular destination for outdoor recreation. Located within the Coachella Valley of the Sonoran desert, there are plenty of activities to enjoy around the area such as golfing, hiking, biking, horseback riding and rock climbing. The city has some beautiful resorts with upscale amenities, shopping centers full of boutique stores and galleries, art shows and festivals to take part in throughout the year. In addition to its picturesque scenery, Palm Desert’s rich cultural diversity makes it an ideal place for a unique travel experience.

 Santa Rosa, CAPalm Desert, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock51,081329,725,481
 Median Income$84,823  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock56.238.4
 Avg. Home Price$666,900  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock6.0%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time22.59  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Santa Rosa    43 Reviews

I was born and raised here. Santa Rosa used to be a great city great location great weather but now it is overcrowded and crime is off the charts and housing is crazy  More

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I've lived her over 20 years and it's a pretty nice place. The main vibe is you feel safe doing this day or night. Most of the neighborhoods are well taken care of, they  More

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Terrible city that's hurting for money. After going on a long hiatus from enforcing traffic laws, they've recently turned their highways into an ATM machine/cash cow by  More

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Reviews for Palm Desert    14 Reviews

Over 4 years ago

Palm Desert, CA is full of rude people. One woman in a long sleeved pink shirt is being extremely rude and mocking people for no reason at a neighborhood Walmart in Palm  More

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Palm Desert is clean, upscale and beautiful. The views of the Santa Rosa Mountains bright blue sky and green expanses of golf course fairways, swimming pools and  More

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I made the mistake of moving here after a short vacation to be closer to family. Biggest mistake of my life! This is not the place to live if health is important to you.  More

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