CostIndexUSA

Portland, OR vs Santa Rosa, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableOR
Portland
105.4
overall index
$1,775/mo rent
CA
Santa Rosa
107.8
overall index
$2,600/mo rent

Portland is slightly cheaper than Santa Rosa — 2.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Portland, you would need $81,800 in Santa Rosa. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+11.6%
Portland
125.1
Santa Rosa
139.6
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Portland
105.2
Santa Rosa
105.2
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Portland
105.1
Santa Rosa
105.3
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Portland
95.1
Santa Rosa
95.3
Utilities+44.7%
Portland
107
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
$81,800
$1,800 more needed in Santa Rosa

Formula: salary × (107.8 ÷ 105.4) = salary × 1.0228. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Portland, OR

Median Home Price
$536,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,775
Housing Index
125.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
25.2×

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 11.6% higher housing costs compared to Portland.

Income & Job Market

Portland, OR

Median Household Income
$94,900
Per Capita Income
$54,100
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
652,503
Top Industries
TechnologyHealthcareManufacturingRetailTourism

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, OR
4.5×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.