Santa Rosa vs Arlington: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Santa Rosa, California compare to Arlington, Virginia? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Santa Rosa is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 21% lower in Santa Rosa compared to Arlington, while rent is 9% lower. State income tax is 13.3% in CA vs 5.75% in VA.
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Arlington, VA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $661,700 | $833,300 | -20.6% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,024 | $2,227 | -9.1% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $92,604 | $137,387 | -32.6% |
| Per Capita Income | $46,804 | $85,221 | -45.1% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 13.3% | 5.8% | +131.3% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 8.7% | 5.8% | +51.0% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 178,221 | 235,845 | -24.4% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Santa Rosa
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Arlington
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Santa Rosa costs $661,700 compared to $833,300 in Arlington — a 21% discount.
- Rent: Median rent is $2,024/mo in Santa Rosa vs $2,227/mo in Arlington.
- Income: Median household income is $92,604 in Santa Rosa and $137,387 in Arlington.
- Taxes: State income tax is 13.3% in California vs 5.75% in Virginia.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).