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

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in San Diego or is it cheaper to live in Santa Rosa?
- San Diego is 2.0% more expensive than Santa Rosa.

Which city has more affordable housing, San Diego or Santa Rosa?
- San Diego housing costs are 24.3% more expensive than Santa Rosa housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Santa Rosa or is Health Care more affordable in San Diego.
- Health related expenses are 19.3% less in San Diego.
 Santa Rosa, CASan Diego, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock154.9100
 Food & Groceries109.8  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock89.0100
 Housing223.9  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$833,500$338,100
 Utilities100  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock120.2100
 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 San Diego    319 Reviews

I have lived in San Diego for more than half my life (I am 30) and love it. It has something for everyone and more from arts, to sporting events, and all cuisine is  More

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The only real knock again San Diego is the cost of living, but it is paradise compared to most cities of similar size. Those who complain about the traffic here or say  More

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I have lived in San Diego since 1968 and I am now almost 62 years old. I love San Diego, I really do. But it has become so crowded and so expensive over the years. It  More

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