Is Santa Rosa, CA cheaper than Oceanside, CA?

Based on cost of living data, Santa Rosa, CA is 15.5% more expensive than Oceanside, CA. This translates to spending an extra $1161 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Oceanside, CA, you'd need approximately $163,931.615 in Santa Rosa, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in Santa Rosa, CA is 57.9% more expensive than in Oceanside, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,928/month in Santa Rosa, CA compared to $2,535/month in Oceanside, CA.

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

Living in Santa Rosa, CA costs approximately $1161 more per month than Oceanside, CA, or $13932 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Oceanside, CA vs Santa Rosa, CA: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Tap to swap

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

Current salary in Oceanside, CA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.2K/month more in Santa Rosa, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $163.9K in Santa Rosa, CA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA area

Overall Cost

↑ 15.5%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,161

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$13.9K

Per year

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

Oceanside, CA

Population:170K

Cost Index:

100

100 = national average

Median Home:$841K

Santa Rosa, CA

Population:176K

Cost Index:

115

(15% above avg)

Median Home:$713K

Oceanside, CA

The Golden State

170K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 170K 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: Oceanside, CA vs Santa Rosa, CA

Category	Oceanside, CA	Santa Rosa, CA	Difference	Change
Housing	$4,395/mo	$6,939/mo	↑ $2,545more	57.9%
Other	$1,768/mo	$1,479/mo	↓ $289less	16.3%
Transportation	$1,469/mo	$1,703/mo	↑ $235more	16.0%
All Utilities	$613/mo	$398/mo	↓ $215less	35.1%
Groceries	$1,043/mo	$1,030/mo	↓ $13.76less	1.3%
Healthcare	$617/mo	$627/mo	↑ $10.41more	1.7%

Housing

↑ 57.9%

Oceanside, CA

$4,395

Santa Rosa, CA

$6,939

Difference

$2,545

Other

↓ 16.3%

Oceanside, CA

$1,768

Santa Rosa, CA

$1,479

Difference

$289

less

Transportation

↑ 16.0%

Oceanside, CA

$1,469

Santa Rosa, CA

$1,703

Difference

$235

All Utilities

↓ 35.1%

Oceanside, CA

$613

Santa Rosa, CA

$398

Difference

$215

less

Groceries

↓ 1.3%

Oceanside, CA

$1,043

Santa Rosa, CA

$1,030

Difference

$13.76

less

Healthcare

↑ 1.7%

Oceanside, CA

$617

Santa Rosa, CA

$627

Difference

$10.41

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,931

To$1,331

↓ $600

1 Bed

From$2,074

To$1,469

↓ $605

2 Bed

From$2,535

To$1,928

↓ $607

3 Bed

From$3,377

To$2,649

↓ $728

Oceanside, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,330–$2,870/mo

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.

$9,905

Monthly in Oceanside, CA

$12,177

Monthly in Santa Rosa, CA

$2,272

Difference

Home Values

Oceanside

Santa Rosa

$841K

Median Value

$713K

↓ -2.1%

YoY Change

↓ -2.8%

↑ +41.6%

5-Year Change

↑ +12.2%

$791K - $1.08M

Price Range

$620K - $797K

Homes in Santa Rosa are 15% less expensive than Oceanside

Calculate payment - Oceanside 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

Oceanside, 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

Oceanside, 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.