Cost of Living: San Francisco, CA vs Santa Rosa, CA (2026)

San Francisco

California
267
VS

Santa Rosa

California
172

San Francisco is 55% more expensive than Santa Rosa.

$2,419/mo ↑ 16%
Median Rent
$2,084/mo ↓ 14%
$141,446/yr ↑ 45%
Median Income
$97,410/yr ↓ 31%
$1,380,500 ↑ 102%
Home Value
$685,000 ↓ 50%
$2,620/mo ↑ 23%
Owner Costs
$2,130/mo ↓ 19%
836,321
Population
177,216

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
13.3%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

20.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Francisco, CA and Santa Rosa, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 267 and 172 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $335/month cheaper in Santa Rosa, saving renters about $4,020/year.

Median household income is $44,036/year higher in San Francisco. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Francisco is $1,380,500 compared to $685,000 in Santa Rosa.

Both cities share the same state tax structure since they are in California.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Francisco vs Santa Rosa — common questions

Is San Francisco or Santa Rosa cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Santa Rosa is cheaper to live in with an index of 172 compared to 267 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Francisco and Santa Rosa?
Median rent in San Francisco is $2,419/month and in Santa Rosa it's $2,084/month — a difference of $335/month.
Which city has higher income, San Francisco or Santa Rosa?
Median household income is $141,446 in San Francisco and $97,410 in Santa Rosa. Median household income is $44,036/year higher in San Francisco.
How do taxes compare between California and California?
Both cities are in California and share the same state tax rates: 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to San Francisco or Santa Rosa?
It depends on your priorities. San Francisco has a cost index of 267 with median rent of $2,419/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 San Francisco details → View Santa Rosa details →

More Comparisons

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