RateHerald

No link on RateHerald pays us today. When some do, they'll say so, and they'll never change a ranking. How we make money

Santa Rosa, CA Rent Affordability Calculator

The median rent in the Santa Rosa, CA area is $2,158 a month including utilities, which takes 25% of the median household income ($104,674). Paying it on 30% of income needs about $86,320 a year.

On $105,000 a year, 30% of income is $2,625 a month for rent. A $2,160 rent takes 24.7% of gross income; many landlords want income of 40 times the rent, $86,400.

Rent you can afford
$2,625 a month
That rent takes
24.7% of income
Income a landlord may ask for (40× rent)
$86,400

Rent you can afford in Santa Rosa, CA by income (30% rule)

IncomeAffordable rentAgainst the median rent
$40,000$1,000−53.7%
$60,000$1,500−30.5%
$80,000$2,000−7.3%
$100,000$2,50015.8%
$150,000$3,75073.8%

How this calculator works

Median gross rent and median household income for the Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA metropolitan area, from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates. Affordable rent is 30% of gross monthly income.

What it assumes

  • Medians across all rentals, of every size and age; new listings usually ask more.

Questions people ask

What is the average rent in Santa Rosa, CA?

The median gross rent is $2,158 a month, including utilities (Census American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates).

What salary do I need to live in Santa Rosa, CA?

To rent at the median on 30% of income, about $86,320 a year; many landlords ask for 40 times the rent, $86,320.

Is rent affordable in Santa Rosa, CA?

The median rent takes 25% of the median household income there, within the 30% guideline.

How does the cost of living in Santa Rosa, CA compare?

Overall prices are 7.8% above the US average, and housing 39.6% above (BEA, 2024).

Nearby and large metro areas

Related calculators

  • Rent Affordability CalculatorThe rent your income supports under the 30% guideline, what a given rent takes of your pay, and the income landlords often ask for, with median rents in large metro areas.
  • Santa Rosa, CA Cost of Living CalculatorPrices in the Santa Rosa, CA area are 7.8% above the US average, and housing 39.6% above (BEA, 2024). Compare a salary here with anywhere else.
  • Rent vs Buy CalculatorWhether buying or renting leaves you better off after the years you plan to stay, counting mortgage interest, tax, upkeep, selling costs and what a renter earns investing the down payment.

Sources

Updated by the RateHerald team. The maths is tested against worked examples; report a problem.