Stockton, CA vs Santa Rosa, CA: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, Santa Rosa, CA is 2.6% more expensive than Stockton, CA (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Stockton works out to about $76,900 in Santa Rosa, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is housing, which costs 20.7% more in Santa Rosa. Goods are 0.0% higher and other services 0.0% higher.
- Typical asking rent is $2,666 a month in Santa Rosa and $2,431 in Stockton, $2,820 a year more in Santa Rosa (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $783,000 in Santa Rosa and $520,000 in Stockton.
- The gap has narrowed since 2019, when Santa Rosa was 5.4% more expensive than Stockton.
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: 20.7% higher in Santa Rosa than in Stockton
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Stockton, CA
- Santa Rosa, CA
All items Stockton, CA: 105.1 Santa Rosa, CA: 107.8
Goods Stockton, CA: 105.2 Santa Rosa, CA: 105.2
Housing (rents) Stockton, CA: 115.6 Santa Rosa, CA: 139.6
Utilities Stockton, CA: 158.2 Santa Rosa, CA: 154.8
Other services Stockton, CA: 100.3 Santa Rosa, CA: 100.3
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Stockton, CA | Santa Rosa, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 105.1 | 107.8 |
| Goods | 105.2 | 105.2 |
| Housing (rents) | 115.6 | 139.6 |
| Utilities | 158.2 | 154.8 |
| Other services | 100.3 | 100.3 |
| Category | Stockton | Santa Rosa | Santa Rosa vs Stockton |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 105.1 | 107.8 | +2.6% |
| Goods | 105.2 | 105.2 | 0.0% |
| Housing (rents) | 115.6 | 139.6 | +20.7% |
| Utilities | 158.2 | 154.8 | −2.2% |
| Other services | 100.3 | 100.3 | 0.0% |
| Typical asking rent | $2,431 | $2,666 | +9.7% |
| Typical home value | $520,000 | $783,000 | +50.6% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Stockton | $75,000 | $76,900 | +2.6% |
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 Stockton and Santa Rosa has narrowed since 2008: 17.9 points then, 2.7 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Stockton, CA
- Santa Rosa, CA
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Stockton, CA | Santa Rosa, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 100.2 | 118.1 |
| 2009 | 104.5 | 113.5 |
| 2010 | 101.5 | 113.7 |
| 2011 | 103.7 | 110.4 |
| 2012 | 103.8 | 112.3 |
| 2013 | 102.2 | 111.5 |
| 2014 | 102.4 | 113.2 |
| 2015 | 100.2 | 114.6 |
| 2016 | 99.9 | 115.1 |
| 2017 | 101.7 | 120.3 |
| 2018 | 106.0 | 113.1 |
| 2019 | 105.7 | 111.5 |
| 2020 | 105.3 | 111.4 |
| 2021 | 104.6 | 109.9 |
| 2022 | 108.5 | 112.5 |
| 2023 | 107.6 | 110.3 |
| 2024 | 105.1 | 107.8 |
Goods
- Stockton, CA
- Santa Rosa, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Stockton, CA | Santa Rosa, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 95.1 | 117.8 |
| 2009 | 101.4 | 110.0 |
| 2010 | 97.3 | 107.0 |
| 2011 | 99.0 | 105.5 |
| 2012 | 99.8 | 108.0 |
| 2013 | 98.2 | 109.9 |
| 2014 | 96.6 | 108.8 |
| 2015 | 94.9 | 111.4 |
| 2016 | 94.0 | 111.2 |
| 2017 | 99.8 | 114.0 |
| 2018 | 105.3 | 105.3 |
| 2019 | 104.8 | 104.8 |
| 2020 | 104.5 | 104.5 |
| 2021 | 106.9 | 106.9 |
| 2022 | 109.0 | 109.0 |
| 2023 | 104.9 | 104.9 |
| 2024 | 105.2 | 105.2 |
Housing (rents)
- Stockton, CA
- Santa Rosa, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Stockton, CA | Santa Rosa, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 119.7 | 163.0 |
| 2009 | 122.7 | 157.7 |
| 2010 | 116.7 | 162.2 |
| 2011 | 114.0 | 151.0 |
| 2012 | 114.5 | 164.3 |
| 2013 | 110.8 | 153.5 |
| 2014 | 115.6 | 166.3 |
| 2015 | 108.9 | 165.9 |
| 2016 | 113.6 | 165.8 |
| 2017 | 113.3 | 172.2 |
| 2018 | 113.0 | 175.4 |
| 2019 | 118.6 | 177.1 |
| 2020 | 118.8 | 176.0 |
| 2021 | 118.0 | 170.6 |
| 2022 | 119.3 | 158.2 |
| 2023 | 120.1 | 146.5 |
| 2024 | 115.6 | 139.6 |
Utilities
- Stockton, CA
- Santa Rosa, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Stockton, CA | Santa Rosa, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 99.6 | 115.4 |
| 2009 | 100.1 | 114.9 |
| 2010 | 112.8 | 117.5 |
| 2011 | 114.1 | 112.6 |
| 2012 | 117.5 | 109.3 |
| 2013 | 116.3 | 129.4 |
| 2014 | 122.0 | 134.6 |
| 2015 | 122.5 | 142.4 |
| 2016 | 116.7 | 144.4 |
| 2017 | 112.8 | 149.9 |
| 2018 | 122.6 | 121.1 |
| 2019 | 130.1 | 128.8 |
| 2020 | 133.2 | 132.1 |
| 2021 | 143.0 | 141.3 |
| 2022 | 147.1 | 145.6 |
| 2023 | 142.8 | 140.5 |
| 2024 | 158.2 | 154.8 |
Other services
- Stockton, CA
- Santa Rosa, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Stockton, CA | Santa Rosa, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 97.7 | 107.0 |
| 2009 | 100.7 | 104.0 |
| 2010 | 98.8 | 104.1 |
| 2011 | 102.5 | 102.7 |
| 2012 | 102.4 | 102.2 |
| 2013 | 101.1 | 101.6 |
| 2014 | 101.0 | 103.2 |
| 2015 | 99.8 | 104.3 |
| 2016 | 98.9 | 104.9 |
| 2017 | 99.2 | 111.0 |
| 2018 | 103.7 | 103.7 |
| 2019 | 101.8 | 101.8 |
| 2020 | 100.4 | 100.4 |
| 2021 | 98.6 | 98.6 |
| 2022 | 103.9 | 103.9 |
| 2023 | 104.2 | 104.2 |
| 2024 | 100.3 | 100.3 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $2,666 in Santa Rosa vs $2,431 in Stockton
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Stockton, CA
- Santa Rosa, 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
| Stockton, CA | Santa Rosa, CA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $1,259 | $1,620 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $1,293 | $1,658 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $1,313 | $1,700 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $1,335 | $1,734 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $1,371 | $1,803 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $1,412 | $1,832 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $1,440 | $1,836 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $1,452 | $1,825 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $1,478 | $1,871 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $1,530 | $1,921 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $1,569 | $1,939 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $1,560 | $2,014 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $1,605 | $2,058 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $1,632 | $2,067 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $1,660 | $2,060 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $1,659 | $2,069 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $1,682 | $2,045 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $1,713 | $2,084 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $1,740 | $2,069 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $1,756 | $2,061 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $1,787 | $2,087 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,802 | $2,098 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,872 | $2,109 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,937 | $2,121 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,990 | $2,134 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $2,097 | $2,207 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $2,164 | $2,283 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $2,167 | $2,288 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $2,211 | $2,361 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $2,244 | $2,426 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $2,242 | $2,422 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $2,230 | $2,401 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $2,236 | $2,421 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $2,272 | $2,474 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $2,290 | $2,495 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $2,273 | $2,481 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $2,306 | $2,489 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $2,339 | $2,526 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $2,347 | $2,519 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $2,336 | $2,528 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $2,366 | $2,553 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $2,396 | $2,567 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $2,386 | $2,565 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $2,419 | $2,550 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $2,401 | $2,586 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $2,418 | $2,639 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $2,431 | $2,666 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $783,000 in Santa Rosa vs $520,000 in Stockton
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Stockton, CA
- Santa Rosa, 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
| Stockton, CA | Santa Rosa, CA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $271K | $497K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $279K | $511K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $285K | $524K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $294K | $542K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $302K | $556K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $309K | $561K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $315K | $568K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $323K | $577K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $332K | $588K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $341K | $599K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $347K | $608K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $356K | $623K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $366K | $647K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $376K | $667K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $379K | $669K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $383K | $662K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $387K | $657K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $390K | $656K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $392K | $655K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $396K | $656K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $402K | $663K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $407K | $661K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $412K | $663K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $434K | $685K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $460K | $709K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $493K | $741K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $511K | $750K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $520K | $751K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $548K | $784K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $572K | $810K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $561K | $792K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $539K | $781K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $525K | $774K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $528K | $785K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $535K | $796K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $538K | $796K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $542K | $797K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $548K | $807K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $548K | $805K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $551K | $804K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $549K | $799K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $539K | $789K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $531K | $777K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $528K | $781K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $527K | $781K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $521K | $777K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $520K | $783K | $366K |
More about each city
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.