Living in Santa Rosa, California
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Santa Rosa · Census data 2020–2024
Santa Rosa has 177,090 residents with a median age of 41.2. The median household income is $99,060 (about the same as the California median), the median home value is $713,900, the median rent is $2,152/month.
Santa Rosa at a glance
- Population
- 177,090
- Median age
- 41.2State: 37.9
- Median household income
- $99,060State: $99,122
- Median home value
- $713,900State: $734,700
- Median rent
- $2,152/moState: $2,036
- Homeowners
- 56.7%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 35.1%
- Average commute
- 23 min
Is Santa Rosa a good place to live?
Pros: Home values about the same as the state median; an average commute of 23 minutes; unemployment of 6.3%; a poverty rate of 9.7%.
Cons: Median household income about the same as the California median.
The weather is best in June to August and October.
Cost of living in Santa Rosa
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Santa Rosa the median home value is $713,900, 115% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $2,152 per month, which is 32.2% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,894 a month in housing costs.
Santa Rosa median household income
The median household income in Santa Rosa is $99,060 and the income per person is $52,066. 9.7% of residents live below the poverty line (California: 12%).
Housing in Santa Rosa: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 71,382
- Owner-occupied
- 56.7%
- Renter-occupied
- 43.3%
- Vacant
- 4.3%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1980
- Average household size
- 2.53
Santa Rosa demographics
- Population
- 177,090
- Median age
- 41.2
- Under 18
- 20.1%
- 65 and older
- 19%
- Households
- 68,321
- Foreign-born
- 21.2%
- Veterans
- 4.2%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Santa Rosa ›
Education in Santa Rosa
35.1% of adults 25 and older in Santa Rosa have a bachelor's degree or higher (California: 37.1%), and 13.6% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Santa Rosa
- Unemployment rate
- 6.3%State: 6.6%
- Average commute
- 23 minState: 29 min
- Work from home
- 11.5%
- Drive alone
- 71.4%
- Public transit
- 1.3%
- Walk to work
- 2.4%
- Homes with broadband
- 94.3%
Santa Rosa vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Rosa | 177,090 | $99,060 | $713,900 | $2,152 |
| Fulton | 453 | $183,158 | $760,100 | — |
| Larkfield-Wikiup | 8,765 | $97,071 | $704,700 | $2,104 |
| Rohnert Park | 44,575 | $99,273 | $666,300 | $2,279 |
| Sebastopol | 7,445 | $87,684 | $845,700 | $1,902 |
| Cotati | 7,489 | $110,750 | $746,800 | $2,056 |
| Windsor | 26,081 | $133,979 | $801,100 | $2,433 |
| Graton | 1,806 | $91,429 | $878,100 | $2,826 |
| Kenwood | 1,028 | $99,526 | $881,900 | — |
More for people moving to Santa Rosa
Santa Rosa ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Santa Rosa: FAQ
What is the median household income in Santa Rosa, CA?
The median household income in Santa Rosa is $99,060, about the same as the California median of $99,122 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Santa Rosa?
The median home value in Santa Rosa is $713,900, compared with $734,700 in California.
How much is rent in Santa Rosa?
The median gross rent in Santa Rosa is $2,152 per month, about 32.2% of household income.
Is Santa Rosa, CA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values about the same as the state median; an average commute of 23 minutes; unemployment of 6.3%; a poverty rate of 9.7%. Minuses: median household income about the same as the California median.
What is the median age in Santa Rosa?
The median age in Santa Rosa is 41.2 years (California: 37.9).
How long is the commute in Santa Rosa?
The average commute to work in Santa Rosa is 23 minutes; 11.5% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Santa Rosa?
The unemployment rate in Santa Rosa is 6.3% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Santa Rosa?
35.1% of adults in Santa Rosa have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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