salaryRent is higher than in 82% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 6.7 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $95,720 a year. That is $46 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 342 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Santa Rosa?
Share of households by yearly income. 39.6% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Santa Rosa
| Size | Santa Rosa | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,780 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,825 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,324 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,878 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,478 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Santa Rosa 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 Santa Rosa
Life in Santa Rosa
What jobs pay in Santa Rosa
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $181,560 | 15.8% |
| Registered Nurse | $174,550 | 16.5% |
| Physician Assistant | $172,750 | 16.6% |
| Pharmacist | $170,570 | 16.8% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $167,040 | 17.2% |
| Software Developer | $148,630 | 19.3% |
| Dental Hygienist | $136,210 | 21.1% |
| Police Officer | $125,910 | 22.8% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $113,520 | 25.3% |
| Civil Engineer | $111,740 | 25.7% |
| Operations Manager | $109,970 | 26.1% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $99,060 | 29.0% |
| Accountant | $94,690 | 30.3% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $92,580 | 31.0% |
| Firefighter | $87,400 | 32.9% |
| Carpenter | $80,520 | 35.7% |
| HVAC Technician | $79,510 | 36.1% |
| Market Research Analyst | $78,810 | 36.4% |
| Electrician | $77,380 | 37.1% |
| Medical Assistant | $64,820 | 44.3% |
| Plumber | $64,700 | 44.4% |
| Truck Driver | $62,620 | 45.9% |
| Customer Service Representative | $51,810 | 55.4% |
| Nursing Assistant | $49,240 | 58.3% |
| Warehouse Worker | $46,640 | 61.6% |
| Restaurant Cook | $45,720 | 62.8% |
| Retail Salesperson | $39,570 | 72.6% |
| Cashier | $38,440 | 74.7% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $36,830 | 78.0% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Santa Rosa?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $2,560 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $713,900 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $71,390 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Santa Rosa, CA?
Renting in Santa Rosa costs a median of about $2,393 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Santa Rosa?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $95,720 a year, or $46 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Santa Rosa cheap or expensive?
Santa Rosa is rated OK: rent takes 26.9% of the typical household income of $106,836. It ranks 342nd cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Santa Rosa?
The median homeowner in Santa Rosa pays $5,019 a year in property taxes, about 0.70% of the median home value.
Is Santa Rosa 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 Santa Rosa?
The median home value in Santa Rosa is $713,900, about 6.7 times the typical yearly household income.
177,090 people live in Santa Rosa. Numbers are typical (middle) values.