2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Santa Rosa, CA vs Berkeley, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Berkeley or is it cheaper to live in Santa Rosa?
- Berkeley is 28.8% more expensive than Santa Rosa.

Which city has more affordable housing, Berkeley or Santa Rosa?
- Berkeley housing costs are 132.7% more expensive than Santa Rosa housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Santa Rosa or is Health Care more affordable in Berkeley.
- Health related expenses are 5.9% more in Berkeley.
 Santa Rosa, CABerkeley, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock195.5100
 Food & Groceries109.8  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock116.8100
 Housing223.9  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,320,600$338,100
 Utilities100  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock118.7100
 Miscellaneous153.3  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Santa Rosa    43 Reviews

I was born and raised here. Santa Rosa used to be a great city great location great weather but now it is overcrowded and crime is off the charts and housing is crazy  More

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I've lived her over 20 years and it's a pretty nice place. The main vibe is you feel safe doing this day or night. Most of the neighborhoods are well taken care of, they  More

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Terrible city that's hurting for money. After going on a long hiatus from enforcing traffic laws, they've recently turned their highways into an ATM machine/cash cow by  More

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Reviews for Berkeley    14 Reviews

Have lived in Berkeley for about 35 years now. Housing/Real Estate: If you're looking to move here, $1,000,000 will get you a small cottage in the "flats". Most of  More

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Over 12 years ago

We have the best climate -- summers and winters are mild. Lots of  More

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Over 14 years ago

The 60's have left Berkeley and now it is about MONEY...and the people there have plenty of it and nice hybrid cars (looks like 2 per household) and with a great bicycle  More

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