CostIndexUSA

Santa Rosa, CA vs Virginia Beach, VA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Santa Rosa
107.8
overall index
$2,600/mo rent
More AffordableVA
Virginia Beach
97.9
overall index
$1,800/mo rent

Virginia Beach is moderately cheaper than Santa Rosa — 9.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Santa Rosa, you would need $72,700 in Virginia Beach. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing28.5%
Santa Rosa
139.6
Virginia Beach
99.8
🛒 Groceries8.0%
Santa Rosa
105.2
Virginia Beach
96.8
🚗 Transportation1.7%
Santa Rosa
105.3
Virginia Beach
103.5
🏥 Healthcare1.7%
Santa Rosa
95.3
Virginia Beach
93.7
Utilities42.1%
Santa Rosa
154.8
Virginia Beach
89.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Virginia Beach, VA
$72,700
$7,300 less needed in Virginia Beach

Formula: salary × (97.9 ÷ 107.8) = salary × 0.9082. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Santa Rosa, CA

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

Virginia Beach, VA

Median Home Price
$360,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,800
Housing Index
99.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.7×

Santa Rosa has 28.5% lower housing costs compared to Virginia Beach.

Income & Job Market

Santa Rosa, CA

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

Virginia Beach, VA

Median Household Income
$79,300
Per Capita Income
$45,200
Unemployment Rate
4.3%
Population
459,470
Top Industries
MilitaryTourismHealthcareRetailGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

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

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

69% of income left after rent (median)

Virginia Beach, VA
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% 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.