CostIndexUSA

Ann Arbor, MI vs Santa Rosa, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableMI
Ann Arbor
100.9
overall index
$2,050/mo rent
CA
Santa Rosa
107.8
overall index
$2,600/mo rent

Ann Arbor is moderately cheaper than Santa Rosa — 6.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Ann Arbor, you would need $85,500 in Santa Rosa. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+11.4%
Ann Arbor
125.3
Santa Rosa
139.6
🛒 Groceries+12.3%
Ann Arbor
93.7
Santa Rosa
105.2
🚗 Transportation+0.8%
Ann Arbor
104.5
Santa Rosa
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+0.7%
Ann Arbor
94.6
Santa Rosa
95.3
Utilities+57.6%
Ann Arbor
98.2
Santa Rosa
154.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Ann Arbor to see what you'd need to earn in Santa Rosa to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Santa Rosa, CA
$85,500
$5,500 more needed in Santa Rosa

Formula: salary × (107.8 ÷ 100.9) = salary × 1.0684. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Ann Arbor, MI

Median Home Price
$398,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,050
Housing Index
125.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.2×

Santa Rosa, CA

Median Home Price
$770,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,600
Housing Index
139.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
24.7×

Santa Rosa has 11.4% higher housing costs compared to Ann Arbor.

Income & Job Market

Ann Arbor, MI

Median Household Income
$83,800
Per Capita Income
$47,800
Unemployment Rate
3.3%
Population
123,851
Top Industries
EducationTechnologyHealthcareManufacturingResearch

Santa Rosa, CA

Median Household Income
$100,700
Per Capita Income
$57,400
Unemployment Rate
4%
Population
178,127
Top Industries
HealthcareAgricultureTourismTechnologyRetail

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Ann Arbor, MI
3.4×income-to-rent ratio

71% of income left after rent (median)

Santa Rosa, CA
3.2×income-to-rent ratio

69% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.