| Index | Santa Rosa | California | National |
| Cost of living | 163 | 141 | 100 |
| Groceries | 111 | 111 | 100 |
| Health care | 117 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 269 | 197 | 100 |
| Transportation | 119 | 118 | 100 |
| Utilities | 121 | 119 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 122 | 120 | 100 |
| Household Items | 112 | 111 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 127 | 127 | 100 |
Knowing the cost of living in Santa Rosa allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Santa Rosa stands at 163, marking it 63% higher than the national average.
If you value affordability in your search for a new place to live, Santa Rosa may not be the most suitable option, as it stands out as one of the priciest areas in the entire United States. Only a small fraction of regions have a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Santa Rosa falls into this category, which may not align with your desire for an affordable place to call home.
Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in Santa Rosa, and they usually eat into a large part of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, both buying a home and renting one costs 168.6% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.
Household expenses account for 8% of the cost of living index and include the products people rely on every week, from toiletries and detergent to clothing and kitchen essentials. In Santa Rosa, household essentials are 12.3% more expensive than the U.S. average, which can leave less room in your monthly budget.
The relentless increase in grocery prices is a noteworthy trend. In the last two years, grocery costs have experienced an upward trajectory of over 10%. Unfortunately, Santa Rosa is no exception, where grocery prices are 10.5% above the national average.
Locals have the inside scoop on their city. So, we polled 21 residents in Santa Rosa to learn how they view the cost of living. We asked how they felt about the cost of living in their area, and if they thought that prices were increasing, decreasing or staying the same. The verdict? 38% find it reasonable with decreasing prices, but 62% think it's quite pricey, with prices that continue to rise.
Wondering if Santa Rosa is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Santa Rosa, for example, the median home price is 206.7% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 79.8% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Santa Rosa boasting a median household income of $118,340, which is 45.5% higher than the national average.
Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In Santa Rosa, the transportation index is 19.3% higher than the national average.
Subsidies: Certain regions may provide government subsidies or assistance initiatives designed to alleviate the cost of living burden on their residents. These programs encompass a wide range of support mechanisms, such as Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farming subsidies. Areas with fewer subsidy offerings might experience an elevation in their cost of living.
Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In Santa Rosa, the general sales tax rate starts at 7.25%, and income tax rates begin at 1%.
The cost of living data for Santa Rosa shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $146,707 | $12,226 | $3,423 | $4,402 |
| Renters | $90,415 | $7,535 | $2,110 | $2,713 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| California | 7.25% | 10.5% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| California | 1% | 13.3% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Valley Ford, CA | 0 | 113 | 13.1% |
| Roseland, CA | 6,008 | 131 | 30.7% |
| Rohnert Park, CA | 44,183 | 157 | 56.5% |
| Cotati, CA | 7,674 | 158 | 58.2% |
| Forestville, CA | 3,882 | 163 | 62.6% |
| Santa Rosa, CA | 185,280 | 163 | 62.9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Ontario, CA | 185,250 | 143 | 43.4% |
| Providence, RI | 185,554 | 109 | 9.0% |
| Sioux Falls, SD | 185,812 | 99 | 1.0% |
| Newport News, VA | 184,134 | 105 | 5.3% |
| Chattanooga, TN | 187,734 | 97 | 3.5% |
| Santa Rosa, CA | 185,280 | 163 | 62.9% |
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