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

Santa Rosa

California
172
VS

Concord

California
187

Santa Rosa is 8% cheaper than Concord.

$2,084/mo ↓ 6%
Median Rent
$2,226/mo ↑ 7%
$97,410/yr ↓ 11%
Median Income
$109,195/yr ↑ 12%
$685,000 ↓ 9%
Home Value
$755,900 ↑ 10%
$2,130/mo ↓ 7%
Owner Costs
$2,284/mo ↑ 7%
177,216
Population
124,260

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

25.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Rosa, CA and Concord, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 172 and 187 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $142/month cheaper in Santa Rosa, saving renters about $1,704/year.

Median household income is $11,785/year higher in Concord. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Rosa is $685,000 compared to $755,900 in Concord.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Rosa vs Concord — common questions

Is Santa Rosa or Concord cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Santa Rosa is cheaper to live in with an index of 172 compared to 187 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Rosa and Concord?
Median rent in Santa Rosa is $2,084/month and in Concord it's $2,226/month — a difference of $142/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Rosa or Concord?
Median household income is $97,410 in Santa Rosa and $109,195 in Concord. Median household income is $11,785/year higher in Concord.
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 Santa Rosa or Concord?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Rosa has a cost index of 172 with median rent of $2,084/mo, while Concord has a cost index of 187 with rent of $2,226/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Santa Rosa details → View Concord details →

More Comparisons

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