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

Santa Rosa

California
172
VS

Springfield

Massachusetts
79

Santa Rosa is 118% more expensive than Springfield.

$2,084/mo ↑ 87%
Median Rent
$1,114/mo ↓ 47%
$97,410/yr ↑ 90%
Median Income
$51,339/yr ↓ 47%
$685,000 ↑ 208%
Home Value
$222,700 ↓ 67%
$2,130/mo ↑ 67%
Owner Costs
$1,276/mo ↓ 40%
177,216
Population
154,751

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
9.0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.15%

Affordability

25.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Rosa, CA and Springfield, MA, the overall cost of living indices are 172 and 79 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $970/month cheaper in Springfield, saving renters about $11,640/year.

Median household income is $46,071/year higher in Santa Rosa. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Rosa is $685,000 compared to $222,700 in Springfield.

Massachusetts has a lower income tax rate, making Springfield slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Rosa vs Springfield — common questions

Is Santa Rosa or Springfield cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Springfield is cheaper to live in with an index of 79 compared to 172 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Rosa and Springfield?
Median rent in Santa Rosa is $2,084/month and in Springfield it's $1,114/month — a difference of $970/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Rosa or Springfield?
Median household income is $97,410 in Santa Rosa and $51,339 in Springfield. Median household income is $46,071/year higher in Santa Rosa.
How do taxes compare between California and Massachusetts?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Massachusetts has 9.0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.15% property tax.
Should I move to Santa Rosa or Springfield?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Rosa has a cost index of 172 with median rent of $2,084/mo, while Springfield has a cost index of 79 with rent of $1,114/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Santa Rosa details → View Springfield details →

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