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City Report · CA

Santa Rosa

Pop. 177,090·256th most expensive in California·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$2,534/mo
Year-over-Year
+0.4%
Month-over-Month
-0.5%
vs US Median
+$569
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Santa Rosa · $2,534
More expensive than 81% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
65/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 8% below what Santa Rosa's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$2,534/mo
Expected by trend
$2,739/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Santa Rosa's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,888
1 BR
$2,098
2 BR
$2,753
3 BR
$3,762
4 BR+
$3,978
Research median
$2,753/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$30,408/yr
At $2,534/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Balanced Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.4% YoY, -0.5% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Santa Rosa, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 35.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
177,090
Median income
$99,060
Median age
41.2
Renters
43.3%
Age distribution
20.1%
21.4%
27.4%
12.1%
19%
Under 1820.1%
18–3421.4%
35–5427.4%
55–6412.1%
65+19%
Gender
48.8%
51.2%
Male48.8%
Female51.2%
Race & ethnicity
52.9%
37.4%
White52.9%
Black2%
Hispanic37.4%
Asian6.5%
Other1.2%
Education (25+)
14.6%
19.1%
31.1%
35.1%
No HS diploma14.6%
HS diploma19.1%
Some college31.1%
Bachelor's+35.1%
Housing tenure
56.7%
43.3%
Owner56.7%
Renter43.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Santa Rosa, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,106 → $2,534
up 20.3%
Income
$84,823 → $99,060
up 16.8%
Population
179,213 → 177,090
down 1.2%
Renter share
44.7% → 43.3%
-1.4 pts
Bachelor's+
34.3% → 35.1%
+0.8 pts
Median age
40 → 41.2
+1.2 yrs

Since 2021, the typical rent in Santa Rosa, CA has climbed from $2,106 to $2,534, a 20.3% change over five years. Census figures show median household income at $99,060 today, compared with $84,823 five years earlier. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has contracted by 1.2% since 2021, moving from about 179,213 residents to roughly 177,090. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

Community

Discussions about Santa Rosa

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View Santa Rosa rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Santa Rosa on your salary?

At $2,534/mo, how Santa Rosa rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Santa Rosa rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Santa Rosa. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Santa Rosa

About renting in Santa Rosa, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Santa Rosa is $2,534/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,888/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,753/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,098/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,762/mo.

At 31% of local median household income ($99,060/yr), Santa Rosa ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 0.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Santa Rosa an affordable city for renters?

Santa Rosa is considered moderate for renters. At $2,534/mo, rent takes approximately 31% of the local median household income ($99,060/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Santa Rosa slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Santa Rosa?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $101,000/year (~$49/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,534/mo in Santa Rosa. The local median household income is $99,060/yr, meaning the typical Santa Rosa household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Santa Rosa?

Rent in Santa Rosa has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.4% change year over year as of July 2026.

Which Santa Rosa neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Santa Rosa are 95401 ($2,330/mo), 95404 ($2,462/mo), and 95409 ($2,540/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Santa Rosa is $2,534/mo.

How does Santa Rosa rent compare to other cities in California?

Santa Rosa is middle-of-the-pack for California for rent, ranking #256 out of 387 tracked cities at $2,534/mo.

What percentage of Santa Rosa residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 43.3% of Santa Rosa households are renters, while 56.7% are owner-occupied. Santa Rosa leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Santa Rosa rent compare to the national average?

Santa Rosa's median rent of $2,534/mo is $569 (29%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #256 out of 387 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
31%
MODERATE

At $2,534/mo, rent takes ~31% of Santa Rosa's median household income ($99,060/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Santa Rosa 31%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Santa Rosa affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Santa Rosa, CA

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