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

Santa Rosa

California
172
VS

Richardson

Texas
128

Santa Rosa is 34% more expensive than Richardson.

$2,084/mo ↑ 14%
Median Rent
$1,825/mo ↓ 12%
$97,410/yr ↑ 1%
Median Income
$96,257/yr ↓ 1%
$685,000 ↑ 69%
Home Value
$405,600 ↓ 41%
$2,130/mo ↑ 19%
Owner Costs
$1,796/mo ↓ 16%
177,216
Population
118,269

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
22.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Rosa, CA and Richardson, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 172 and 128 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $259/month cheaper in Richardson, saving renters about $3,108/year.

Median household income is $1,153/year higher in Santa Rosa. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Rosa is $685,000 compared to $405,600 in Richardson.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Rosa vs Richardson — common questions

Is Santa Rosa or Richardson cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Richardson is cheaper to live in with an index of 128 compared to 172 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Rosa and Richardson?
Median rent in Santa Rosa is $2,084/month and in Richardson it's $1,825/month — a difference of $259/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Rosa or Richardson?
Median household income is $97,410 in Santa Rosa and $96,257 in Richardson. Median household income is $1,153/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 Richardson?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Rosa has a cost index of 172 with median rent of $2,084/mo, while Richardson has a cost index of 128 with rent of $1,825/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Santa Rosa details → View Richardson details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Santa Rosa and Richardson

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 Richardson vs. Billings Richardson vs. Cambridge Richardson vs. Wilmington Richardson vs. North Charleston Richardson vs. Spring Hill Richardson vs. Clearwater