CostIndexUSA

San Francisco, CA vs Santa Rosa, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
San Francisco
115.6
overall index
$3,075/mo rent
More AffordableCA
Santa Rosa
107.8
overall index
$2,600/mo rent

Santa Rosa is moderately cheaper than San Francisco — 6.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in San Francisco, you would need $74,600 in Santa Rosa. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing28.3%
San Francisco
194.7
Santa Rosa
139.6
🛒 Groceries3.0%
San Francisco
108.5
Santa Rosa
105.2
🚗 Transportation5.6%
San Francisco
111.5
Santa Rosa
105.3
🏥 Healthcare5.6%
San Francisco
100.9
Santa Rosa
95.3
Utilities10.3%
San Francisco
172.6
Santa Rosa
154.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Santa Rosa, CA
$74,600
$5,400 less needed in Santa Rosa

Formula: salary × (107.8 ÷ 115.6) = salary × 0.9325. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

San Francisco, CA

Median Home Price
$1,090,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,075
Housing Index
194.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
29.5×

Santa Rosa, CA

Median Home Price
$770,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,600
Housing Index
139.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
24.7×

San Francisco has 28.3% lower housing costs compared to Santa Rosa.

Income & Job Market

San Francisco, CA

Median Household Income
$127,800
Per Capita Income
$72,800
Unemployment Rate
5%
Population
873,965
Top Industries
TechnologyFinanceTourismHealthcareMedia

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).

San Francisco, CA
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.