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Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA

Cost of living in Santa Rosa, California

Sonoma County, CA

Part of the Santa Rosa Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$4,350/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 485,642 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $2,089 48%
Federal tax $652 15%
Healthcare $480 11%
Groceries $397 9%
Transport $320 7%
Energy $217 5%
State tax $135 3%
Water $60 1%

Rent in Santa Rosa

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$1,879
per month
1 bedroom
$2,089
per month
2 bedroom
$2,740
per month
3 bedroom
$3,743
per month
4 bedroom
$3,960
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Santa Rosa

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$102,840
per year
Individual earnings
$49,944
per year
Per capita
$54,941
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Santa Rosa

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$779,000
Annual property tax
$5,580

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Santa Rosa

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$167
per month · 30.4¢/kWh
Natural gas
$50
per month
Annual total
$2,604
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Santa Rosa

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
5.4%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Santa Rosa

State and local tax rates for California.

State income tax
13.3%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
7.3%
Combined sales tax
8.8%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Santa Rosa

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
25.3 min
Drive alone
71.0%
Public transit
1.0%
Work from home
14.4%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Santa Rosa

What it costs to live in Santa Rosa each month.

Single person
$4,350
per month
  • Rent $2,089
  • Energy $217
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $397
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $652
  • State tax $135
Couple
$6,883
per month
  • Rent $2,740
  • Energy $260
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $658
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $1,353
  • State tax $518
Family
$10,093
per month
  • Rent $3,743
  • Energy $326
  • Water $85
  • Groceries $998
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $1,353
  • State tax $518

Frequently asked questions about Santa Rosa

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Santa Rosa?

In Santa Rosa, California, a one-bedroom apartment averages $2,089 per month, a two-bedroom averages $2,740 per month, a three-bedroom averages $3,743 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Santa Rosa?

In Santa Rosa, California, the average household income is $102,840 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $49,944 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Santa Rosa?

The estimated cost of living in Santa Rosa, California is approximately $4,350 per month for a single person, $6,883 for a couple, $10,093 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Santa Rosa?

The combined sales tax rate in Santa Rosa, California is 8.85%, which includes the California state rate of 7.25% plus an average local rate of 1.60%.

Is Santa Rosa an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Santa Rosa, California would need approximately $4,350 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $102,840 per year ($8,570 per month). Santa Rosa has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Santa Rosa?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Santa Rosa, California is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 5.4% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Santa Rosa?

The average home value in Santa Rosa, California is $779,000, with average annual property taxes of $5,580, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Santa Rosa compare to other areas?

You can compare Santa Rosa, California with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Santa Rosa is in the Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA metro area.

Other counties in California

Browse the full list of counties in California, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in California

Compare Santa Rosa with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources