CostIndexUSA

Lexington, KY vs Santa Rosa, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableKY
Lexington
92.9
overall index
$1,500/mo rent
CA
Santa Rosa
107.8
overall index
$2,600/mo rent

Lexington is significantly cheaper than Santa Rosa — 16.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Lexington, you would need $92,800 in Santa Rosa. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+81.1%
Lexington
77.1
Santa Rosa
139.6
🛒 Groceries+9.4%
Lexington
96.2
Santa Rosa
105.2
🚗 Transportation+3.5%
Lexington
101.7
Santa Rosa
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+3.6%
Lexington
92
Santa Rosa
95.3
Utilities+107.5%
Lexington
74.6
Santa Rosa
154.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Santa Rosa, CA
$92,800
$12,800 more needed in Santa Rosa

Formula: salary × (107.8 ÷ 92.9) = salary × 1.1604. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Lexington, KY

Median Home Price
$313,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,500
Housing Index
77.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.4×

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 81.1% higher housing costs compared to Lexington.

Income & Job Market

Lexington, KY

Median Household Income
$70,000
Per Capita Income
$39,900
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
322,570
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingAgricultureGovernment

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).

Lexington, KY
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

74% 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.