Cost of Living: Santa Rosa, CA vs Carrollton, TX (2026)

Santa Rosa

California
172
VS

Carrollton

Texas
116

Santa Rosa is 48% more expensive than Carrollton.

$2,084/mo ↑ 24%
Median Rent
$1,674/mo ↓ 20%
$97,410/yr ↓ 2%
Median Income
$99,115/yr ↑ 2%
$685,000 ↑ 94%
Home Value
$353,600 ↓ 48%
$2,130/mo ↑ 26%
Owner Costs
$1,689/mo ↓ 21%
177,216
Population
132,741

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

25.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Rosa, CA and Carrollton, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 172 and 116 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $410/month cheaper in Carrollton, saving renters about $4,920/year.

Median household income is $1,705/year higher in Carrollton. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Rosa is $685,000 compared to $353,600 in Carrollton.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Carrollton residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Rosa vs Carrollton — common questions

Is Santa Rosa or Carrollton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Carrollton is cheaper to live in with an index of 116 compared to 172 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Rosa and Carrollton?
Median rent in Santa Rosa is $2,084/month and in Carrollton it's $1,674/month — a difference of $410/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Rosa or Carrollton?
Median household income is $97,410 in Santa Rosa and $99,115 in Carrollton. Median household income is $1,705/year higher in Carrollton.
How do taxes compare between California and Texas?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Santa Rosa or Carrollton?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Rosa has a cost index of 172 with median rent of $2,084/mo, while Carrollton has a cost index of 116 with rent of $1,674/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Santa Rosa details → View Carrollton details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Santa Rosa and Carrollton

Santa Rosa vs. Elk Grove Santa Rosa vs. Cary Santa Rosa vs. Eugene Santa Rosa vs. Salem Santa Rosa vs. Ontario Santa Rosa vs. Rancho Cucamonga Carrollton vs. New Haven Carrollton vs. Santa Clara Carrollton vs. Sterling Heights Carrollton vs. Fargo Carrollton vs. Coral Springs Carrollton vs. Norman