salaryRent is higher than in 89% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 7.1 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are long, about 30.7 minutes each way.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $105,960 a year. That is $51 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other California cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of California. It is number 423 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Petaluma?
Share of households by yearly income. 46.4% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Petaluma
| Size | Petaluma | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,428 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,575 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,689 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,263 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,195 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Petaluma overall?
Everyday prices in the Santa Rosa-Petaluma metro area are 8% above the U.S. average (index 107.8, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Petaluma
Life in Petaluma
What jobs pay in Petaluma
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $181,560 | 17.5% |
| Registered Nurse | $174,550 | 18.2% |
| Physician Assistant | $172,750 | 18.4% |
| Pharmacist | $170,570 | 18.6% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $167,040 | 19.0% |
| Software Developer | $148,630 | 21.4% |
| Dental Hygienist | $136,210 | 23.3% |
| Police Officer | $125,910 | 25.2% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $113,520 | 28.0% |
| Civil Engineer | $111,740 | 28.4% |
| Operations Manager | $109,970 | 28.9% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $99,060 | 32.1% |
| Accountant | $94,690 | 33.6% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $92,580 | 34.3% |
| Firefighter | $87,400 | 36.4% |
| Carpenter | $80,520 | 39.5% |
| HVAC Technician | $79,510 | 40.0% |
| Market Research Analyst | $78,810 | 40.3% |
| Electrician | $77,380 | 41.1% |
| Medical Assistant | $64,820 | 49.0% |
| Plumber | $64,700 | 49.1% |
| Truck Driver | $62,620 | 50.8% |
| Customer Service Representative | $51,810 | 61.4% |
| Nursing Assistant | $49,240 | 64.6% |
| Warehouse Worker | $46,640 | 68.2% |
| Restaurant Cook | $45,720 | 69.5% |
| Retail Salesperson | $39,570 | 80.3% |
| Cashier | $38,440 | 82.7% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $36,830 | 86.3% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Petaluma?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $3,447 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $878,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $87,860 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Petaluma, CA?
Renting in Petaluma costs a median of about $2,649 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Petaluma?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $105,960 a year, or $51 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Petaluma cheap or expensive?
Petaluma is rated OK: rent takes 25.5% of the typical household income of $124,491. It ranks 423rd cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Petaluma?
The median homeowner in Petaluma pays $5,720 a year in property taxes, about 0.65% of the median home value.
Is Petaluma more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 8% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Petaluma?
The median home value in Petaluma is $878,600, about 7.1 times the typical yearly household income.
59,247 people live in Petaluma. Numbers are typical (middle) values.