CostIndexUSA

Little Rock, AR vs Santa Rosa, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableAR
Little Rock
89.4
overall index
$1,200/mo rent
CA
Santa Rosa
107.8
overall index
$2,600/mo rent

Little Rock is significantly cheaper than Santa Rosa — 20.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Little Rock, you would need $96,500 in Santa Rosa. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+104.4%
Little Rock
68.3
Santa Rosa
139.6
🛒 Groceries+12.4%
Little Rock
93.6
Santa Rosa
105.2
🚗 Transportation+5.2%
Little Rock
100.1
Santa Rosa
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+5.3%
Little Rock
90.5
Santa Rosa
95.3
Utilities+107.5%
Little Rock
74.6
Santa Rosa
154.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Santa Rosa, CA
$96,500
$16,500 more needed in Santa Rosa

Formula: salary × (107.8 ÷ 89.4) = salary × 1.2058. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Little Rock, AR

Median Home Price
$222,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,200
Housing Index
68.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.4×

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 104.4% higher housing costs compared to Little Rock.

Income & Job Market

Little Rock, AR

Median Household Income
$66,200
Per Capita Income
$37,700
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
Population
202,591
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareRetailFinanceManufacturing

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).

Little Rock, AR
4.6×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.