CostIndexUSA

Newark, NJ vs Santa Rosa, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

NJ
Newark
112.6
overall index
$3,225/mo rent
More AffordableCA
Santa Rosa
107.8
overall index
$2,600/mo rent

Santa Rosa is slightly cheaper than Newark — 4.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Newark, you would need $76,600 in Santa Rosa. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing6.1%
Newark
148.6
Santa Rosa
139.6
🛒 Groceries4.6%
Newark
110.3
Santa Rosa
105.2
🚗 Transportation5.2%
Newark
111.1
Santa Rosa
105.3
🏥 Healthcare5.2%
Newark
100.5
Santa Rosa
95.3
Utilities+21.9%
Newark
127
Santa Rosa
154.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Santa Rosa, CA
$76,600
$3,400 less needed in Santa Rosa

Formula: salary × (107.8 ÷ 112.6) = salary × 0.9574. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Newark, NJ

Median Home Price
$703,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,225
Housing Index
148.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.2×

Santa Rosa, CA

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

Newark has 6.1% lower housing costs compared to Santa Rosa.

Income & Job Market

Newark, NJ

Median Household Income
$95,200
Per Capita Income
$54,300
Unemployment Rate
5.2%
Population
311,549
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingLogisticsGovernmentFinance

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).

Newark, NJ
2.5×income-to-rent ratio

59% 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.