Is Santa Rosa, CA cheaper than Ontario, CA?

Based on cost of living data, Santa Rosa, CA is 30.6% more expensive than Ontario, CA. This translates to spending an extra $2297 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Ontario, CA, you'd need approximately $177,569.809 in Santa Rosa, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in Santa Rosa, CA is 88.1% more expensive than in Ontario, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,928/month in Santa Rosa, CA compared to $2,580/month in Ontario, CA.

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

Living in Santa Rosa, CA costs approximately $2297 more per month than Ontario, CA, or $27570 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Ontario, 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 Ontario, CA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $2.3K/month more in Santa Rosa, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $177.6K in Santa Rosa, CA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA area

Overall Cost

↑ 30.6%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$2,297

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$27.6K

Per year

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

Ontario, CA

Population:182K

Cost Index:

100

100 = national average

Median Home:$672K

Santa Rosa, CA

Population:176K

Cost Index:

131

(31% above avg)

Median Home:$713K

Ontario, CA

The Golden State

182K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 182K 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: Ontario, CA vs Santa Rosa, CA

Category	Ontario, CA	Santa Rosa, CA	Difference	Change
Housing	$3,690/mo	$6,939/mo	↑ $3,249more	88.1%
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

↑ 88.1%

Ontario, CA

$3,690

Santa Rosa, CA

$6,939

Difference

$3,249

Transportation

↓ 21.1%

Ontario, CA

$2,158

Santa Rosa, CA

$1,703

Difference

$455

less

Other

↓ 14.2%

Ontario, CA

$1,724

Santa Rosa, CA

$1,479

Difference

$245

less

All Utilities

↓ 28.6%

Ontario, CA

$557

Santa Rosa, CA

$398

Difference

$159

less

Healthcare

↑ 13.8%

Ontario, CA

$551

Santa Rosa, CA

$627

Difference

$76.01

Groceries

↓ 0.9%

Ontario, CA

$1,039

Santa Rosa, CA

$1,030

Difference

$9.55

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,980

To$1,331

↓ $649

1 Bed

From$2,080

To$1,469

↓ $611

2 Bed

From$2,580

To$1,928

↓ $652

3 Bed

From$3,410

To$2,649

↓ $761

Ontario, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,980–$2,240/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.

$9,721

Monthly in Ontario, CA

$12,177

Monthly in Santa Rosa, CA

$2,456

Difference

Home Values

Ontario

Santa Rosa

$672K

Median Value

$713K

↓ -1.9%

YoY Change

↓ -2.8%

↑ +34.4%

5-Year Change

↑ +12.2%

$623K - $683K

Price Range

$620K - $797K

Homes in Santa Rosa are 6% more expensive than Ontario

Calculate payment - Ontario 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

Ontario, 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

Ontario, 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.