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

Santa Rosa

California
172
VS

Everett

Washington
137

Santa Rosa is 26% more expensive than Everett.

$2,084/mo ↑ 24%
Median Rent
$1,675/mo ↓ 20%
$97,410/yr ↑ 20%
Median Income
$81,502/yr ↓ 16%
$685,000 ↑ 29%
Home Value
$532,300 ↓ 22%
$2,130/mo ↑ 23%
Owner Costs
$1,738/mo ↓ 18%
177,216
Population
111,083

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.5%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.92%

Affordability

25.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Rosa, CA and Everett, WA, the overall cost of living indices are 172 and 137 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $409/month cheaper in Everett, saving renters about $4,908/year.

Median household income is $15,908/year higher in Santa Rosa. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Rosa is $685,000 compared to $532,300 in Everett.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Rosa vs Everett — common questions

Is Santa Rosa or Everett cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Everett is cheaper to live in with an index of 137 compared to 172 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Rosa and Everett?
Median rent in Santa Rosa is $2,084/month and in Everett it's $1,675/month — a difference of $409/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Rosa or Everett?
Median household income is $97,410 in Santa Rosa and $81,502 in Everett. Median household income is $15,908/year higher in Santa Rosa.
How do taxes compare between California and Washington?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Washington has 0% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax.
Should I move to Santa Rosa or Everett?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Rosa has a cost index of 172 with median rent of $2,084/mo, while Everett has a cost index of 137 with rent of $1,675/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Santa Rosa details → View Everett details →

More Comparisons

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