Rents are 6% below what Santa Rosa's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,574 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: August 17, 2026
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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.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Santa Rosa, CA has changed in 5 years
Since 2021, the typical rent in Santa Rosa, CA has climbed from $2,106 to $2,574, a 22.2% 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.
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Can you afford rent in Santa Rosa on your salary?
At $2,574/mo, how Santa Rosa rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Santa Rosa rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Santa Rosa. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Santa Rosa
Last updated: August 17, 2026
The median rent in Santa Rosa is $2,574/mo as of August 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 1.8% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
Is Santa Rosa an affordable city for renters?
How much income do you need to rent in Santa Rosa?
Is rent going up or down in Santa Rosa?
Which Santa Rosa neighborhoods have the lowest rent?
How does Santa Rosa rent compare to other cities in California?
What percentage of Santa Rosa residents rent vs. own?
How does Santa Rosa rent compare to the national average?
At $2,574/mo, rent takes ~31% of Santa Rosa's median household income ($99,060/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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