Santa Rosa, California
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Santa Rosa.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Santa Rosa?
For relocators asking how much Santa Rosa costs: the housing index sits at 190 versus 100 nationally, with homes near $685,000 and rents near $2,084. Local median income is about $97,410 and unemployment recently ran 4.3% (U.S. 4.2%). Commutes average 25 minutes. Violent-offense rates run about 481.8 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 190U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $685,000U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $2,084U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $97,410U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 4.3%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 25 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 481.8per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 83°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Santa Rosa compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 177,524City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $97,410Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year24% above U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 190ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year90% above U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $685,000City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year126% above U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $2,084City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year55% above U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 4.3%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 25 minNear U.S. avg (25 min)U.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 45Near U.S. avg (45)U.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 481.8annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)18% below U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 1615.7annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)48% below U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 83°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals4.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 38°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals4.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 33.8 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normalsNear U.S. avg (33 in)U.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 290As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals8% above U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
Santa Rosa grew 1.3% from 175,238 in 2010 to 177,524 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Santa Rosa expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, Santa Rosa runs 90 points higher on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 190 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $685,000 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $2,084 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Santa Rosa?
Budget first around $2,084/month rent or $685,000 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $685,000
- Median rent $2,084/month
- Median household income $97,410
What is the job market like in Santa Rosa?
Labor-market context for Santa Rosa: unemployment 4.3% and median income $97,410. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 4.3% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $97,410
How long is the typical commute in Santa Rosa?
Plan on roughly 25 minutes each way in Santa Rosa. Walk Score estimates around 45 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 25 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 45/100
Is Santa Rosa safer than similar U.S. cities?
Santa Rosa's FBI-derived violent rate (~481.8/100k) sits below the average of mapped MapsToIt cities. Use the figure as a screening signal, then verify the blocks you would actually live on.
- Violent 481.8 per 100k
- Property 1615.7 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Santa Rosa?
Santa Rosa's climate profile: 83°F summer peaks, 38°F winter mornings, 33.8" annual rainfall, and 290 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 83°F
- Winter low 38°F
- 33.8 in rain · 290 sunny days
About 177,524 people live in Santa Rosa, CA. Households here report a median income near $97,410; our housing-derived cost index is about 190 (well above the national housing-cost baseline). Entry home prices around $685,000 still look attainable compared with coastal metros.
Pacific weather, wildfire seasons, and housing scarcity dominate relocation tradeoffs. Roughly 290 sunny days a year give outdoor routines unusual calendar reliability. Commutes average near 25 minutes one-way, with walkability near 45/100. BLS LAUS puts recent unemployment around 4.3% for the surrounding county. Violent-offense rates near 481.8 per 100k sit in a mid-to-elevated band versus many peer cities in this catalog.
Santa Rosa is compact enough that a single wrong neighborhood choice is easy to feel day to day — visit at commute hour before signing. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Santa Rosa with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Santa Rosa city, 1600000US0670098) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Sonoma County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00023213 SANTA ROSA SONOMA CO AP) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10