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

Santa Rosa

California
172
VS

The Woodlands

Texas
139

Santa Rosa is 24% more expensive than The Woodlands.

$2,084/mo ↑ 16%
Median Rent
$1,792/mo ↓ 14%
$97,410/yr ↓ 31%
Median Income
$141,353/yr ↑ 45%
$685,000 ↑ 43%
Home Value
$479,400 ↓ 30%
$2,130/mo ↑ 6%
Owner Costs
$2,005/mo ↓ 6%
177,216
Population
116,916

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
15.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Rosa, CA and The Woodlands, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 172 and 139 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $292/month cheaper in The Woodlands, saving renters about $3,504/year.

Median household income is $43,943/year higher in The Woodlands. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Rosa is $685,000 compared to $479,400 in The Woodlands.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Rosa vs The Woodlands — common questions

Is Santa Rosa or The Woodlands cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, The Woodlands is cheaper to live in with an index of 139 compared to 172 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Rosa and The Woodlands?
Median rent in Santa Rosa is $2,084/month and in The Woodlands it's $1,792/month — a difference of $292/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Rosa or The Woodlands?
Median household income is $97,410 in Santa Rosa and $141,353 in The Woodlands. Median household income is $43,943/year higher in The Woodlands.
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 The Woodlands?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Rosa has a cost index of 172 with median rent of $2,084/mo, while The Woodlands has a cost index of 139 with rent of $1,792/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Santa Rosa details → View The Woodlands details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Santa Rosa and The Woodlands

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