Is Santa Rosa, CA cheaper than Garden Grove, CA?

Based on cost of living data, Santa Rosa, CA is 0.9% more expensive than Garden Grove, CA. The two cities have very similar living costs.

What salary do I need in Santa Rosa, CA to live like I do in Garden Grove, CA?

If you earn $150,000 in Garden Grove, CA, you'd need approximately $150,849.398 in Santa Rosa, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Garden Grove, CA and Santa Rosa, CA?

Housing in Santa Rosa, CA is 15.6% more expensive than in Garden Grove, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,928/month in Santa Rosa, CA compared to $2,650/month in Garden Grove, CA.

How much can I save per month by moving from Garden Grove, CA to Santa Rosa, CA?

Garden Grove, CA and Santa Rosa, CA have very similar costs of living, based on a $150,000 salary.

Garden Grove, CA vs Santa Rosa, CA: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

Current salary in Garden Grove, CA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $70.78/month more in Santa Rosa, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $150.8K in Santa Rosa, CA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA area

Overall Cost

↑ 0.9%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$70.78

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$849

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Garden Grove, CA

Population:168K

Cost Index:

100

100 = national average

Median Home:$833K

Santa Rosa, CA

Population:176K

Cost Index:

101

(1% above avg)

Median Home:$713K

Garden Grove, CA

The Golden State

168K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 168K residents.

Santa Rosa, CA

The Golden State

176K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 176K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Garden Grove, CA vs Santa Rosa, CA

Category	Garden Grove, CA	Santa Rosa, CA	Difference	Change
Housing	$6,003/mo	$6,939/mo	↑ $936more	15.6%
Transportation	$2,158/mo	$1,703/mo	↓ $455less	21.1%
Other	$1,724/mo	$1,479/mo	↓ $245less	14.2%
All Utilities	$557/mo	$398/mo	↓ $159less	28.6%
Healthcare	$551/mo	$627/mo	↑ $76.01more	13.8%
Groceries	$1,039/mo	$1,030/mo	↓ $9.55less	0.9%

Housing

↑ 15.6%

Garden Grove, CA

$6,003

Santa Rosa, CA

$6,939

Difference

$936

Transportation

↓ 21.1%

Garden Grove, CA

$2,158

Santa Rosa, CA

$1,703

Difference

$455

less

Other

↓ 14.2%

Garden Grove, CA

$1,724

Santa Rosa, CA

$1,479

Difference

$245

less

All Utilities

↓ 28.6%

Garden Grove, CA

$557

Santa Rosa, CA

$398

Difference

$159

less

Healthcare

↑ 13.8%

Garden Grove, CA

$551

Santa Rosa, CA

$627

Difference

$76.01

Groceries

↓ 0.9%

Garden Grove, CA

$1,039

Santa Rosa, CA

$1,030

Difference

$9.55

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,750

To$1,331

↓ $419

1 Bed

From$2,050

To$1,469

↓ $581

2 Bed

From$2,650

To$1,928

↓ $722

3 Bed

From$3,800

To$2,649

↓ $1,151

Santa Rosa, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,940–$2,470/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$12,034

Monthly in Garden Grove, CA

$12,177

Monthly in Santa Rosa, CA

$144

Difference

Home Values

Garden Grove

Santa Rosa

Median Value

$713K

YoY Change

↓ -2.8%

5-Year Change

↑ +12.2%

Price Range

$620K - $797K

Calculate payment - Santa Rosa

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

→ $0

Same taxes

Monthly Difference

Same take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.0%

Rate difference

Garden Grove, CA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

California State Tax

Effective: 7.1%

$10.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.8%

$47.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,530/month

$102.4K

Santa Rosa, CA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

California State Tax

Effective: 7.1%

$10.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.8%

$47.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,530/month

$102.4K

Additional Tax Information

Garden Grove, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

Santa Rosa, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.