Santa Rosa vs Boston: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Santa Rosa, California compare to Boston, Massachusetts? 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 3% lower in Santa Rosa compared to Boston, while rent is 2% higher. State income tax is 13.3% in CA vs 9% in MA.
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $661,700 | $684,900 | -3.4% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,024 | $1,981 | +2.2% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $92,604 | $89,212 | +3.8% |
| Per Capita Income | $46,804 | $55,949 | -16.3% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 13.3% | 9.0% | +47.8% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 8.7% | 6.3% | +38.9% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 178,221 | 665,945 | -73.2% |
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 — Boston
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 $684,900 in Boston — a 3% discount.
- Rent: Median rent is $2,024/mo in Santa Rosa vs $1,981/mo in Boston.
- Income: Median household income is $92,604 in Santa Rosa and $89,212 in Boston.
- Taxes: State income tax is 13.3% in California vs 9% in Massachusetts.
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).