CostIndexUSA

Austin, TX vs Santa Rosa, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTX
Austin
98.1
overall index
$1,550/mo rent
CA
Santa Rosa
107.8
overall index
$2,600/mo rent

Austin is moderately cheaper than Santa Rosa — 9.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Austin, you would need $87,900 in Santa Rosa. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+15.9%
Austin
120.4
Santa Rosa
139.6
🛒 Groceries+12.2%
Austin
93.8
Santa Rosa
105.2
🚗 Transportation+4.2%
Austin
101.1
Santa Rosa
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+4.3%
Austin
91.4
Santa Rosa
95.3
Utilities+88.8%
Austin
82
Santa Rosa
154.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Austin to see what you'd need to earn in Santa Rosa to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Santa Rosa, CA
$87,900
$7,900 more needed in Santa Rosa

Formula: salary × (107.8 ÷ 98.1) = salary × 1.0989. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Austin, TX

Median Home Price
$420,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,550
Housing Index
120.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.6×

Santa Rosa, CA

Median Home Price
$770,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,600
Housing Index
139.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
24.7×

Santa Rosa has 15.9% higher housing costs compared to Austin.

Income & Job Market

Austin, TX

Median Household Income
$98,500
Per Capita Income
$56,100
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
978,908
Top Industries
TechnologyGovernmentHealthcareEducationEntertainment

Santa Rosa, CA

Median Household Income
$100,700
Per Capita Income
$57,400
Unemployment Rate
4%
Population
178,127
Top Industries
HealthcareAgricultureTourismTechnologyRetail

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Austin, TX
5.3×income-to-rent ratio

81% of income left after rent (median)

Santa Rosa, CA
3.2×income-to-rent ratio

69% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.