Cost of living in Santa Rosa: rent, homes and salary
The cost of living in Santa Rosa stands 7.8% above the US average. In 2024 the regional price parity (RPP) from BEA came to 107.8 for the metro area of Santa Rosa, CA, with the US at 100, and housing alone at 139.6.
- Level of prices
- 107.8US = 100, BEA 2024
- Price level for housing
- Rents: 139.6, US = 100.
Cost of living index for Santa Rosa
A regional price parity compares the cost of one basket of goods and services in a place with the US average, which is set at 100. Santa Rosa belongs to the Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA metro area. BEA calculates prices for the entire area together. Utilities differ most from the US average, reaching 154.8, or 54.8% above the US.
| Price level, US = 100 | Santa Rosa, CA metro | California | Metro against the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 107.8 | 110.7 | +7.8% |
| Goods | 105.2 | 106.1 | +5.2% |
| Housing (rents) | 139.6 | 154.3 | +39.6% |
| Utilities | 154.8 | 158.9 | +54.8% |
| Other services | 100.3 | 102.6 | +0.3% |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, BEA regional price parities, 2024, for metro areas and states. BEA regional price parities
What rent costs in Santa Rosa
Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI) puts the typical asking rent in Santa Rosa at $2,582 a month. This covers homes listed now and is +3.1% on a year. The US figure is $1,932. Census median gross rent is $2,133. This figure includes every renting household, not only new leases. Annual asking rent accounts for 31% of median household income.
| Rent | Santa Rosa | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Typical asking rent, Zillow ZORI | $2,582 | $1,932 |
| Asking rent, 12-month change | +3.1% | |
| Median gross rent, Census ACS 2024 | $2,133 | $1,487 |
| Annual asking rent as a share of median income | 31% | 28% |
One-year estimates from the Census Bureau American Community Survey 2024, plus the Zillow Observed Rent Index.
Prices of homes in Santa Rosa
According to the Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), a typical Santa Rosa home was worth $708,056 in September 2026. This index reflects home values in the middle of the market. The annual change was +0.5%, while the US figure was $366,157. The price equals 7.1 years of median household income, compared with 4.5 for the US.
| Home prices | Santa Rosa | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Typical home value, September 2026 | $708,056 | $366,157 |
| 12-month change | +0.5% | +1.2% |
| 10-year change | +36.1% | +77.4% |
| Price to income (years of median income) | 7.1 | 4.5 |
| Price to rent (years of asking rent) | 22.9 | 15.8 |
Santa Rosa housing market: price chart since 2000, forecast, and days on market.
Salary needed for living in Santa Rosa
Two questions set the Santa Rosa salary that keeps up with what your pay buys now: what you earn, and where you live.
- Moving out of
- Salary
A side-by-side view of the method and every city: city cost of living comparison.
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Santa Rosa cost of living compared with other cities
| City | Level of prices | Housing | Typical rent level | Value of a typical home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Rosa | 107.8 | 139.6 | $2,582 | $708,056 |
| Los Angeles | 113.6 | 170.4 | $2,772 | $927,891 |
| San Diego | 111.9 | 179.3 | $3,004 | $980,490 |
| San Jose | 110.4 | 211.9 | $3,582 | $1,353,869 |
| San Francisco | 115.6 | 194.7 | $4,784 | $1,441,021 |
| Fresno | 102.2 | 95.7 | $1,945 | $384,885 |
| Sacramento | 106.7 | 130.2 | $2,045 | $470,552 |
| Long Beach | 113.6 | 170.4 | $2,412 | $852,391 |
| Oakland | 115.6 | 194.7 | $2,758 | $710,647 |
Price levels: US = 100. BEA regional price parities 2024. Rent: Zillow ZORI. Home value: Zillow's ZHVI, September 2026.
All cities ranked: city cost of living comparison. Each state: cost of living by state.