CostIndexUSA

Santa Ana, CA vs Santa Rosa, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Santa Ana
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent
More AffordableCA
Santa Rosa
107.8
overall index
$2,600/mo rent

Santa Rosa is moderately cheaper than Santa Ana — 5.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Santa Ana, you would need $75,900 in Santa Rosa. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing18.1%
Santa Ana
170.4
Santa Rosa
139.6
🛒 Groceries1.3%
Santa Ana
106.6
Santa Rosa
105.2
🚗 Transportation3.9%
Santa Ana
109.6
Santa Rosa
105.3
🏥 Healthcare3.8%
Santa Ana
99.1
Santa Rosa
95.3
Utilities2.4%
Santa Ana
158.6
Santa Rosa
154.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Santa Rosa, CA
$75,900
$4,100 less needed in Santa Rosa

Formula: salary × (107.8 ÷ 113.6) = salary × 0.9489. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Santa Ana, CA

Median Home Price
$565,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,550
Housing Index
170.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Santa Rosa, CA

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

Santa Ana has 18.1% lower housing costs compared to Santa Rosa.

Income & Job Market

Santa Ana, CA

Median Household Income
$92,000
Per Capita Income
$52,400
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
Population
310,227
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingRetailEducationFinance

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).

Santa Ana, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% 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.