CostIndexUSA

Roanoke, VA vs Santa Rosa, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableVA
Roanoke
93.6
overall index
$1,350/mo rent
CA
Santa Rosa
107.8
overall index
$2,600/mo rent

Roanoke is significantly cheaper than Santa Rosa — 15.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Roanoke, you would need $92,100 in Santa Rosa. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+77.8%
Roanoke
78.5
Santa Rosa
139.6
🛒 Groceries+8.7%
Roanoke
96.8
Santa Rosa
105.2
🚗 Transportation+1.7%
Roanoke
103.5
Santa Rosa
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+1.7%
Roanoke
93.7
Santa Rosa
95.3
Utilities+74.1%
Roanoke
88.9
Santa Rosa
154.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Santa Rosa, CA
$92,100
$12,100 more needed in Santa Rosa

Formula: salary × (107.8 ÷ 93.6) = salary × 1.1517. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Roanoke, VA

Median Home Price
$287,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,350
Housing Index
78.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.7×

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 77.8% higher housing costs compared to Roanoke.

Income & Job Market

Roanoke, VA

Median Household Income
$65,500
Per Capita Income
$37,300
Unemployment Rate
3.2%
Population
99,394
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingRetailFinanceGovernment

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).

Roanoke, VA
4.0×income-to-rent ratio

75% 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.