Cost of Living: Santa Rosa, CA vs Cary, NC (2026)

Santa Rosa

California
172
VS

Cary

North Carolina
135

Santa Rosa is 37% more expensive than Cary.

$2,084/mo ↑ 29%
Median Rent
$1,621/mo ↓ 22%
$97,410/yr ↓ 25%
Median Income
$129,399/yr ↑ 33%
$685,000 ↑ 30%
Home Value
$525,200 ↓ 23%
$2,130/mo ↑ 22%
Owner Costs
$1,744/mo ↓ 18%
177,216
Population
176,686

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
4.5%
7.25%
Sales Tax
4.75%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

25.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
15.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Rosa, CA and Cary, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 172 and 135 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $463/month cheaper in Cary, saving renters about $5,556/year.

Median household income is $31,989/year higher in Cary. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Rosa is $685,000 compared to $525,200 in Cary.

North Carolina has a lower income tax rate, making Cary slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Rosa vs Cary — common questions

Is Santa Rosa or Cary cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cary is cheaper to live in with an index of 135 compared to 172 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Rosa and Cary?
Median rent in Santa Rosa is $2,084/month and in Cary it's $1,621/month — a difference of $463/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Rosa or Cary?
Median household income is $97,410 in Santa Rosa and $129,399 in Cary. Median household income is $31,989/year higher in Cary.
How do taxes compare between California and North Carolina?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Santa Rosa or Cary?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Rosa has a cost index of 172 with median rent of $2,084/mo, while Cary has a cost index of 135 with rent of $1,621/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Santa Rosa details → View Cary details →