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

Santa Rosa

California
172
VS

Lehigh Acres

Florida
95

Santa Rosa is 81% more expensive than Lehigh Acres.

$2,084/mo ↑ 39%
Median Rent
$1,496/mo ↓ 28%
$97,410/yr ↑ 56%
Median Income
$62,330/yr ↓ 36%
$685,000 ↑ 160%
Home Value
$263,200 ↓ 62%
$2,130/mo ↑ 60%
Owner Costs
$1,330/mo ↓ 38%
177,216
Population
127,391

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
28.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Rosa, CA and Lehigh Acres, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 172 and 95 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $588/month cheaper in Lehigh Acres, saving renters about $7,056/year.

Median household income is $35,080/year higher in Santa Rosa. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Rosa is $685,000 compared to $263,200 in Lehigh Acres.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Rosa vs Lehigh Acres — common questions

Is Santa Rosa or Lehigh Acres cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lehigh Acres is cheaper to live in with an index of 95 compared to 172 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Rosa and Lehigh Acres?
Median rent in Santa Rosa is $2,084/month and in Lehigh Acres it's $1,496/month — a difference of $588/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Rosa or Lehigh Acres?
Median household income is $97,410 in Santa Rosa and $62,330 in Lehigh Acres. Median household income is $35,080/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 Lehigh Acres?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Rosa has a cost index of 172 with median rent of $2,084/mo, while Lehigh Acres has a cost index of 95 with rent of $1,496/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Santa Rosa details → View Lehigh Acres details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Santa Rosa and Lehigh Acres

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 Lehigh Acres vs. Lewisville Lehigh Acres vs. Columbia Lehigh Acres vs. Norman Lehigh Acres vs. Abilene Lehigh Acres vs. Fargo Lehigh Acres vs. Athens