CostIndexUSA

Columbus, OH vs Santa Rosa, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableOH
Columbus
95.5
overall index
$1,450/mo rent
CA
Santa Rosa
107.8
overall index
$2,600/mo rent

Columbus is moderately cheaper than Santa Rosa — 12.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Columbus, you would need $90,300 in Santa Rosa. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+58.8%
Columbus
87.9
Santa Rosa
139.6
🛒 Groceries+12.4%
Columbus
93.6
Santa Rosa
105.2
🚗 Transportation+1.3%
Columbus
103.9
Santa Rosa
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+1.4%
Columbus
94
Santa Rosa
95.3
Utilities+62.1%
Columbus
95.5
Santa Rosa
154.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Santa Rosa, CA
$90,300
$10,300 more needed in Santa Rosa

Formula: salary × (107.8 ÷ 95.5) = salary × 1.1288. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Columbus, OH

Median Home Price
$317,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,450
Housing Index
87.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.2×

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 58.8% higher housing costs compared to Columbus.

Income & Job Market

Columbus, OH

Median Household Income
$77,400
Per Capita Income
$44,100
Unemployment Rate
3.5%
Population
905,748
Top Industries
FinanceRetailHealthcareEducationGovernment

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).

Columbus, OH
4.4×income-to-rent ratio

78% 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.