CostIndexUSA

Fremont, CA vs Santa Rosa, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Fremont
115.6
overall index
$3,075/mo rent
More AffordableCA
Santa Rosa
107.8
overall index
$2,600/mo rent

Santa Rosa is moderately cheaper than Fremont — 6.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Fremont, you would need $74,600 in Santa Rosa. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing28.3%
Fremont
194.7
Santa Rosa
139.6
🛒 Groceries3.0%
Fremont
108.5
Santa Rosa
105.2
🚗 Transportation5.6%
Fremont
111.5
Santa Rosa
105.3
🏥 Healthcare5.6%
Fremont
100.9
Santa Rosa
95.3
Utilities10.3%
Fremont
172.6
Santa Rosa
154.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Santa Rosa, CA
$74,600
$5,400 less needed in Santa Rosa

Formula: salary × (107.8 ÷ 115.6) = salary × 0.9325. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Fremont, CA

Median Home Price
$1,090,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,075
Housing Index
194.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
29.5×

Santa Rosa, CA

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

Fremont has 28.3% lower housing costs compared to Santa Rosa.

Income & Job Market

Fremont, CA

Median Household Income
$127,800
Per Capita Income
$72,800
Unemployment Rate
5%
Population
230,504
Top Industries
TechnologyManufacturingHealthcareRetailEducation

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).

Fremont, CA
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

71% 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.