Santa Rosa, CA vs Riverside, CA: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, Riverside, CA is 1.2% less expensive than Santa Rosa, CA (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Santa Rosa works out to about $74,100 in Riverside, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is housing, which costs 7.3% less in Riverside. Goods are 3.6% lower and other services 1.0% higher.
- Typical asking rent is $2,533 a month in Riverside and $2,666 in Santa Rosa, $1,596 a year less in Riverside (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $580,000 in Riverside and $783,000 in Santa Rosa.
- The gap has narrowed since 2019, when Riverside was 5.2% less expensive than Santa Rosa.
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Housing drives the gap: 7.3% lower in Riverside than in Santa Rosa
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Santa Rosa, CA
- Riverside, CA
All items Santa Rosa, CA: 107.8 Riverside, CA: 106.4
Goods Santa Rosa, CA: 105.2 Riverside, CA: 101.4
Housing (rents) Santa Rosa, CA: 139.6 Riverside, CA: 129.3
Utilities Santa Rosa, CA: 154.8 Riverside, CA: 148.6
Other services Santa Rosa, CA: 100.3 Riverside, CA: 101.3
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Santa Rosa, CA | Riverside, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 107.8 | 106.4 |
| Goods | 105.2 | 101.4 |
| Housing (rents) | 139.6 | 129.3 |
| Utilities | 154.8 | 148.6 |
| Other services | 100.3 | 101.3 |
| Category | Santa Rosa | Riverside | Riverside vs Santa Rosa |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 107.8 | 106.4 | −1.2% |
| Goods | 105.2 | 101.4 | −3.6% |
| Housing (rents) | 139.6 | 129.3 | −7.3% |
| Utilities | 154.8 | 148.6 | −4.0% |
| Other services | 100.3 | 101.3 | +1.0% |
| Typical asking rent | $2,666 | $2,533 | −5.0% |
| Typical home value | $783,000 | $580,000 | −25.9% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Santa Rosa | $75,000 | $74,100 | −1.2% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Santa Rosa and Riverside has narrowed since 2008: 11.8 points then, 1.3 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Santa Rosa, CA
- Riverside, CA
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Santa Rosa, CA | Riverside, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 118.1 | 106.3 |
| 2009 | 113.5 | 106.2 |
| 2010 | 113.7 | 105.2 |
| 2011 | 110.4 | 104.6 |
| 2012 | 112.3 | 104.5 |
| 2013 | 111.5 | 105.7 |
| 2014 | 113.2 | 107.1 |
| 2015 | 114.6 | 107.1 |
| 2016 | 115.1 | 105.6 |
| 2017 | 120.3 | 102.8 |
| 2018 | 113.1 | 106.0 |
| 2019 | 111.5 | 105.7 |
| 2020 | 111.4 | 104.4 |
| 2021 | 109.9 | 105.6 |
| 2022 | 112.5 | 106.7 |
| 2023 | 110.3 | 107.3 |
| 2024 | 107.8 | 106.4 |
Goods
- Santa Rosa, CA
- Riverside, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Santa Rosa, CA | Riverside, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 117.8 | 103.6 |
| 2009 | 110.0 | 100.8 |
| 2010 | 107.0 | 98.5 |
| 2011 | 105.5 | 99.7 |
| 2012 | 108.0 | 102.0 |
| 2013 | 109.9 | 105.3 |
| 2014 | 108.8 | 104.7 |
| 2015 | 111.4 | 103.2 |
| 2016 | 111.2 | 100.1 |
| 2017 | 114.0 | 99.3 |
| 2018 | 105.3 | 99.8 |
| 2019 | 104.8 | 100.2 |
| 2020 | 104.5 | 102.8 |
| 2021 | 106.9 | 100.7 |
| 2022 | 109.0 | 102.5 |
| 2023 | 104.9 | 102.0 |
| 2024 | 105.2 | 101.4 |
Housing (rents)
- Santa Rosa, CA
- Riverside, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Santa Rosa, CA | Riverside, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 163.0 | 138.0 |
| 2009 | 157.7 | 134.2 |
| 2010 | 162.2 | 131.7 |
| 2011 | 151.0 | 129.4 |
| 2012 | 164.3 | 123.8 |
| 2013 | 153.5 | 126.2 |
| 2014 | 166.3 | 125.1 |
| 2015 | 165.9 | 121.6 |
| 2016 | 165.8 | 124.6 |
| 2017 | 172.2 | 123.6 |
| 2018 | 175.4 | 126.1 |
| 2019 | 177.1 | 128.8 |
| 2020 | 176.0 | 126.3 |
| 2021 | 170.6 | 129.6 |
| 2022 | 158.2 | 129.2 |
| 2023 | 146.5 | 132.0 |
| 2024 | 139.6 | 129.3 |
Utilities
- Santa Rosa, CA
- Riverside, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Santa Rosa, CA | Riverside, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 115.4 | 113.7 |
| 2009 | 114.9 | 112.4 |
| 2010 | 117.5 | 114.7 |
| 2011 | 112.6 | 116.5 |
| 2012 | 109.3 | 122.9 |
| 2013 | 129.4 | 119.8 |
| 2014 | 134.6 | 130.2 |
| 2015 | 142.4 | 130.8 |
| 2016 | 144.4 | 132.5 |
| 2017 | 149.9 | 138.1 |
| 2018 | 121.1 | 145.8 |
| 2019 | 128.8 | 152.1 |
| 2020 | 132.1 | 144.5 |
| 2021 | 141.3 | 151.5 |
| 2022 | 145.6 | 155.2 |
| 2023 | 140.5 | 164.3 |
| 2024 | 154.8 | 148.6 |
Other services
- Santa Rosa, CA
- Riverside, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Santa Rosa, CA | Riverside, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 107.0 | 98.1 |
| 2009 | 104.0 | 99.9 |
| 2010 | 104.1 | 100.0 |
| 2011 | 102.7 | 99.1 |
| 2012 | 102.2 | 98.9 |
| 2013 | 101.6 | 98.8 |
| 2014 | 103.2 | 101.7 |
| 2015 | 104.3 | 103.8 |
| 2016 | 104.9 | 101.9 |
| 2017 | 111.0 | 97.6 |
| 2018 | 103.7 | 102.5 |
| 2019 | 101.8 | 100.7 |
| 2020 | 100.4 | 97.3 |
| 2021 | 98.6 | 100.5 |
| 2022 | 103.9 | 101.1 |
| 2023 | 104.2 | 101.6 |
| 2024 | 100.3 | 101.3 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $2,533 in Riverside vs $2,666 in Santa Rosa
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Santa Rosa, CA
- Riverside, CA
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Santa Rosa, CA | Riverside, CA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $1,620 | $1,294 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $1,658 | $1,317 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $1,700 | $1,342 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $1,734 | $1,351 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $1,803 | $1,366 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $1,832 | $1,384 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $1,836 | $1,405 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $1,825 | $1,410 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $1,871 | $1,444 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $1,921 | $1,478 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $1,939 | $1,498 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $2,014 | $1,512 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $2,058 | $1,538 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $2,067 | $1,564 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $2,060 | $1,591 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $2,069 | $1,604 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $2,045 | $1,622 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $2,084 | $1,648 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $2,069 | $1,672 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $2,061 | $1,678 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $2,087 | $1,697 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $2,098 | $1,708 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $2,109 | $1,789 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $2,121 | $1,845 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $2,134 | $1,917 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $2,207 | $2,008 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $2,283 | $2,133 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $2,288 | $2,159 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $2,361 | $2,226 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $2,426 | $2,295 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $2,422 | $2,312 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $2,401 | $2,289 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $2,421 | $2,314 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $2,474 | $2,338 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $2,495 | $2,347 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $2,481 | $2,344 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $2,489 | $2,368 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $2,526 | $2,393 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $2,519 | $2,422 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $2,528 | $2,418 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $2,553 | $2,446 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $2,567 | $2,461 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $2,565 | $2,462 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $2,550 | $2,467 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $2,586 | $2,493 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $2,639 | $2,518 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $2,666 | $2,533 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $580,000 in Riverside vs $783,000 in Santa Rosa
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Santa Rosa, CA
- Riverside, CA
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Santa Rosa, CA | Riverside, CA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $497K | $285K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $511K | $290K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $524K | $295K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $542K | $297K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $556K | $304K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $561K | $311K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $568K | $312K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $577K | $306K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $588K | $318K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $599K | $330K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $608K | $339K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $623K | $352K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $647K | $359K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $667K | $363K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $669K | $368K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $662K | $374K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $657K | $376K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $656K | $375K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $655K | $377K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $656K | $385K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $663K | $391K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $661K | $392K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $663K | $400K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $685K | $424K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $709K | $446K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $741K | $474K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $750K | $497K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $751K | $517K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $784K | $546K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $810K | $574K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $792K | $571K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $781K | $562K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $774K | $549K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $785K | $552K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $796K | $564K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $796K | $575K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $797K | $579K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $807K | $586K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $805K | $590K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $804K | $594K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $799K | $590K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $789K | $583K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $777K | $577K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $781K | $579K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $781K | $582K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $777K | $580K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $783K | $580K | $366K |
More about each city
- Cost of living in Santa Rosa, CA
- Cost of living in Riverside, CA
- Reverse: moving from Riverside to Santa Rosa
Related comparisons
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.