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

Santa Rosa

California
172
VS

College Station

Texas
91

Santa Rosa is 89% more expensive than College Station.

$2,084/mo ↑ 78%
Median Rent
$1,168/mo ↓ 44%
$97,410/yr ↑ 88%
Median Income
$51,776/yr ↓ 47%
$685,000 ↑ 110%
Home Value
$326,500 ↓ 52%
$2,130/mo ↑ 70%
Owner Costs
$1,251/mo ↓ 41%
177,216
Population
122,280

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
27.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Rosa, CA and College Station, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 172 and 91 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $916/month cheaper in College Station, saving renters about $10,992/year.

Median household income is $45,634/year higher in Santa Rosa. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Rosa is $685,000 compared to $326,500 in College Station.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Rosa vs College Station — common questions

Is Santa Rosa or College Station cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, College Station is cheaper to live in with an index of 91 compared to 172 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Rosa and College Station?
Median rent in Santa Rosa is $2,084/month and in College Station it's $1,168/month — a difference of $916/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Rosa or College Station?
Median household income is $97,410 in Santa Rosa and $51,776 in College Station. Median household income is $45,634/year higher in Santa Rosa.
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 College Station?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Rosa has a cost index of 172 with median rent of $2,084/mo, while College Station has a cost index of 91 with rent of $1,168/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Santa Rosa details → View College Station details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Santa Rosa and College Station

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 College Station vs. Clovis College Station vs. Independence College Station vs. Arvada College Station vs. Rochester College Station vs. Concord College Station vs. Lafayette