CostIndexUSA

Salt Lake City, UT vs Santa Rosa, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableUT
Salt Lake City
100.9
overall index
$1,575/mo rent
CA
Santa Rosa
107.8
overall index
$2,600/mo rent

Salt Lake City is moderately cheaper than Santa Rosa — 6.8% lower overall cost of living.

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

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+13.2%
Salt Lake City
123.3
Santa Rosa
139.6
🛒 Groceries+9.1%
Salt Lake City
96.4
Santa Rosa
105.2
🚗 Transportation+1.3%
Salt Lake City
103.9
Santa Rosa
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+1.4%
Salt Lake City
94
Santa Rosa
95.3
Utilities+95.9%
Salt Lake City
79
Santa Rosa
154.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Salt Lake City 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

Salt Lake City, UT

Median Home Price
$554,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,575
Housing Index
123.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
29.3×

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 13.2% higher housing costs compared to Salt Lake City.

Income & Job Market

Salt Lake City, UT

Median Household Income
$94,400
Per Capita Income
$53,800
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
Population
200,567
Top Industries
TechnologyHealthcareFinanceTourismGovernment

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).

Salt Lake City, UT
5.0×income-to-rent ratio

80% 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.