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

Santa Rosa

California
172
VS

Clearwater

Florida
105

Santa Rosa is 64% more expensive than Clearwater.

$2,084/mo ↑ 35%
Median Rent
$1,539/mo ↓ 26%
$97,410/yr ↑ 51%
Median Income
$64,440/yr ↓ 34%
$685,000 ↑ 110%
Home Value
$326,100 ↓ 52%
$2,130/mo ↑ 51%
Owner Costs
$1,411/mo ↓ 34%
177,216
Population
117,075

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

25.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
28.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Rosa, CA and Clearwater, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 172 and 105 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $545/month cheaper in Clearwater, saving renters about $6,540/year.

Median household income is $32,970/year higher in Santa Rosa. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Rosa is $685,000 compared to $326,100 in Clearwater.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Rosa vs Clearwater — common questions

Is Santa Rosa or Clearwater cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Clearwater is cheaper to live in with an index of 105 compared to 172 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Rosa and Clearwater?
Median rent in Santa Rosa is $2,084/month and in Clearwater it's $1,539/month — a difference of $545/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Rosa or Clearwater?
Median household income is $97,410 in Santa Rosa and $64,440 in Clearwater. Median household income is $32,970/year higher in Santa Rosa.
How do taxes compare between California and Florida?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Santa Rosa or Clearwater?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Rosa has a cost index of 172 with median rent of $2,084/mo, while Clearwater has a cost index of 105 with rent of $1,539/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Santa Rosa details → View Clearwater details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Santa Rosa and Clearwater

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 Clearwater vs. North Charleston Clearwater vs. Lakeland Clearwater vs. Cambridge Clearwater vs. The Woodlands Clearwater vs. Richardson Clearwater vs. Evansville