Cost of Living: Cape Coral, FL vs Santa Rosa, CA (2026)

Cape Coral

Florida
114
VS

Santa Rosa

California
172

Cape Coral is 34% cheaper than Santa Rosa.

$1,751/mo ↓ 16%
Median Rent
$2,084/mo ↑ 19%
$76,062/yr ↓ 22%
Median Income
$97,410/yr ↑ 28%
$339,200 ↓ 50%
Home Value
$685,000 ↑ 102%
$1,523/mo ↓ 28%
Owner Costs
$2,130/mo ↑ 40%
206,387
Population
177,216

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
13.3%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

27.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cape Coral, FL and Santa Rosa, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 114 and 172 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $333/month cheaper in Cape Coral, saving renters about $3,996/year.

Median household income is $21,348/year higher in Santa Rosa. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cape Coral is $339,200 compared to $685,000 in Santa Rosa.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Cape Coral residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cape Coral vs Santa Rosa — common questions

Is Cape Coral or Santa Rosa cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cape Coral is cheaper to live in with an index of 114 compared to 172 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cape Coral and Santa Rosa?
Median rent in Cape Coral is $1,751/month and in Santa Rosa it's $2,084/month — a difference of $333/month.
Which city has higher income, Cape Coral or Santa Rosa?
Median household income is $76,062 in Cape Coral and $97,410 in Santa Rosa. Median household income is $21,348/year higher in Santa Rosa.
How do taxes compare between Florida and California?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Cape Coral or Santa Rosa?
It depends on your priorities. Cape Coral has a cost index of 114 with median rent of $1,751/mo, while Santa Rosa has a cost index of 172 with rent of $2,084/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Cape Coral details → View Santa Rosa details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Cape Coral and Santa Rosa

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