Cost of Living Comparison for Santa Rosa, CA
Updated 2026 · Local data pre-filled
Santa Rosa's cost of living index is 148 — 48% more expensive than the national average. This factors in housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare. Use this calculator to see how your purchasing power would change if you moved to another city.
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How Santa Rosa Compares to the National Average
Understanding how Santa Rosa stacks up helps you calibrate your financial planning.
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | US Average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Price | $680,000 | $420,800 | +61.6% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,100 | $1,713 | +22.6% |
| Median Household Income | $88,400 | $74,580 | +18.5% |
| Property Tax Rate | 0.71% | 1.10% | -35.5% |
| Cost of Living Index | 148 | 100 | +48.0% |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, NAR (2024–2025). Green = favorable for residents; red = less favorable.
Santa Rosa Financial Snapshot
- Population (Metro)
- 510,000
- Unemployment
- 4.0%
- Avg Commute
- 27 min
- Median Age
- 40.3
- Price-to-Rent Ratio
- 27.0x
- Annual Property Tax
- $4,828
Cost of Living Comparison in Other California Cities
Frequently Asked Questions — Santa Rosa
What is the median home price in Santa Rosa, CA?
The median home price in Santa Rosa is $680,000 as of 2025–2026. This is above the national median of $420,800.
What is the average rent in Santa Rosa?
Median monthly rent in Santa Rosa is $2,100. That works out to $25,200/year, or 29% of the median household income — within the commonly recommended 30% of income guideline.
Is Santa Rosa affordable?
Santa Rosa's cost of living index is 148 vs. the national average of 100. With a median household income of $88,400/year and a median home price of $680,000, the price-to-income ratio is 7.7x. This makes homeownership a significant stretch for the typical Santa Rosa household.
What is the property tax rate in Santa Rosa?
The effective property tax rate in Santa Rosa is 0.71% of assessed value. On the median home of $680,000, that's roughly $4,828/year ($402/month).