Graphic Designer Salary in Santa Rosa, CA — 2026 Guide
Estimated salaries are adjusted for Santa Rosa's cost of living (index: 148). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.
Graphic Designer Salary in Santa Rosa — Key Numbers
Cost of Living in Santa Rosa
Rent-to-income below 28% is considered affordable; above 35% is cost-burdened. Home price multiple below 3× is affordable; above 5× is expensive by traditional guidelines.
Job Market in Santa Rosa
Santa Rosa has a metro population of 510,000, offering a sizeable job market with strong opportunities across key sectors. The 4.0% unemployment rate is near the national average.
Financial Calculators for Santa Rosa
Other Professions in Santa Rosa
Graphic Designer Salary — Other California Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Graphic Designer make in Santa Rosa, CA?
The estimated median salary for a Graphic Designer in Santa Rosa is $88,756 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $59,970 adjusted by Santa Rosa's cost of living index (148). The typical salary range runs from $64,928 (25th percentile) to $120,857 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $158,612.
Is Santa Rosa affordable for a Graphic Designer?
On a $88,756 annual salary, a Graphic Designer in Santa Rosa would spend approximately 28.4% of gross monthly income on median rent ($2,100/month). This is approaching the 30–35% cost-burden threshold; careful budgeting is recommended. The median home price of $680,000 is 7.7× the annual salary.
How does a Graphic Designer's salary compare to Santa Rosa's overall income?
Santa Rosa's median household income is $88,400. A Graphic Designer earning the city-adjusted median of $88,756 earns 0.4% more than the typical Santa Rosa household — placing them solidly in the middle-to-upper income tier for the city.
Explore More Salary Data
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, 2024 release. City salary estimates adjusted by cost of living index. City data from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024–2025). Last updated: March 2026.