Moving from Elk Grove, CA to Santa Rosa, CA
Relocating between Elk Grove, CA and Santa Rosa, CA is a 102 mi drive β 2h 15m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
102 mi Β· 2h 15m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, CA 12, CA 99 |
| Major cities en route | Sacramento, Roseville, Fairfield, Antioch, Concord |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Elk Grove | Santa Rosa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.67 | 107.784 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 151.29 | 154.777 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 130.23 | 139.569 | 100.0 |
Elk Grove and Santa Rosa sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Santa Rosa run about 1.0% pricier β ZHVI $637,450 β $718,726 (2026-03).
YoY change: Elk Grove -3.5%, Santa Rosa -2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Elk Grove | Santa Rosa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 38Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 82Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 18.1" | 31.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 61.8Β°F vs 59.0Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Santa Rosa sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SACRAMENTO EXECUTIVE AP, CA US, SANTA ROSA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elk Grove | Santa Rosa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,221 | 177,216 |
| Median household income | $122,229 | $97,410 |
| Median age | 39 | 40.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.4% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 3.24 | 2.6 |
Expect median household income to fall 1.0% β $122,229 β $97,410 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Santa Rosa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 22,200 | $36,990 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 22,130 | $50,550 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 19,610 | $42,770 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 15,180 | $45,180 |
| Management Occupations | 14,030 | $119,330 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
How far is Santa Rosa, CA from Elk Grove, CA?
The driving distance is 102 mi and the route typically takes 2h 15m via I 80 and CA 12. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Elk Grove vs Santa Rosa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $97,410 in Santa Rosa vs $122,229 in Elk Grove β a 20.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Santa Rosa compare to Elk Grove?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $51,670 in the Santa Rosa MSA vs $55,290 in the Elk Grove MSA, on total employment of 206,310 and 1,048,170 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Elk Grove to Santa Rosa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 102 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Santa Rosa compared to Elk Grove?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $718,726 in Santa Rosa vs $637,450 in Elk Grove β a 12.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Santa Rosa more expensive than Elk Grove?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Rosa is 1.0% higher than Elk Grove (107.784 vs 106.67, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Elk Grove.
City profiles: Elk Grove, CA Β· Santa Rosa, CA.