CostIndexUSA

Rochester, NY vs Santa Rosa, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableNY
Rochester
97
overall index
$1,475/mo rent
CA
Santa Rosa
107.8
overall index
$2,600/mo rent

Rochester is moderately cheaper than Santa Rosa — 11.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Rochester, you would need $88,900 in Santa Rosa. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+59.5%
Rochester
87.5
Santa Rosa
139.6
🛒 Groceries+5.5%
Rochester
99.7
Santa Rosa
105.2
🚗 Transportation+2.6%
Rochester
102.6
Santa Rosa
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+2.6%
Rochester
92.9
Santa Rosa
95.3
Utilities+16.2%
Rochester
133.2
Santa Rosa
154.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Santa Rosa, CA
$88,900
$8,900 more needed in Santa Rosa

Formula: salary × (107.8 ÷ 97) = salary × 1.1113. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Rochester, NY

Median Home Price
$262,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,475
Housing Index
87.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.8×

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 59.5% higher housing costs compared to Rochester.

Income & Job Market

Rochester, NY

Median Household Income
$73,300
Per Capita Income
$41,800
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
211,328
Top Industries
HealthcareTechnologyEducationManufacturingFinance

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).

Rochester, NY
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.