CostIndexUSA

Portland, ME vs Santa Rosa, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableME
Portland
101.9
overall index
$2,200/mo rent
CA
Santa Rosa
107.8
overall index
$2,600/mo rent

Portland is moderately cheaper than Santa Rosa — 5.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Portland, you would need $84,600 in Santa Rosa. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+32.7%
Portland
105.2
Santa Rosa
139.6
🛒 Groceries+8.2%
Portland
97.2
Santa Rosa
105.2
🚗 Transportation2.9%
Portland
108.4
Santa Rosa
105.3
🏥 Healthcare2.8%
Portland
98
Santa Rosa
95.3
Utilities+15.0%
Portland
134.6
Santa Rosa
154.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Santa Rosa, CA
$84,600
$4,600 more needed in Santa Rosa

Formula: salary × (107.8 ÷ 101.9) = salary × 1.0579. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Portland, ME

Median Home Price
$516,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,200
Housing Index
105.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.5×

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 32.7% higher housing costs compared to Portland.

Income & Job Market

Portland, ME

Median Household Income
$92,100
Per Capita Income
$52,500
Unemployment Rate
2.4%
Population
68,408
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationTourismFinanceTechnology

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).

Portland, ME
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.