Moving from San Francisco, CA to Santa Rosa, CA
The 56 mi from San Francisco to Santa Rosa translate to about 1h 35m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary — MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
56 mi · 1h 35m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 101, CA 116, CA 1 |
| Major cities en route | Richmond, Berkeley, Vallejo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Francisco | Santa Rosa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 107.784 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 154.777 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 139.569 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 115.613 to 107.784, putting Santa Rosa roughly 6.8% below San Francisco on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Santa Rosa: 6.8% below San Francisco on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: San Francisco +5.0%, Santa Rosa -2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | San Francisco | Santa Rosa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 46°F | 38°F |
| July avg high | 62°F | 82°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 20.6" | 31.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Santa Rosa — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SAN FRANCISCO OCEANSIDE, CA US, SANTA ROSA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Francisco | Santa Rosa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 836,321 | 177,216 |
| Median household income | $141,446 | $97,410 |
| Median age | 39.7 | 40.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.1% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.31 | 2.6 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 6.8% between San Francisco and Santa Rosa (ACS 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 20–30% 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 — 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 San Francisco, CA?
The driving distance is 56 mi and the route typically takes 1h 35m via US 101 and CA 116. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in San Francisco vs Santa Rosa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $97,410 in Santa Rosa vs $141,446 in San Francisco — a 31.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Santa Rosa compared to San Francisco?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $718,726 in Santa Rosa vs $1,356,662 in San Francisco — a 47.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from San Francisco to Santa Rosa?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 56 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Santa Rosa compare to San Francisco?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $51,670 in the Santa Rosa MSA vs $72,050 in the San Francisco MSA, on total employment of 206,310 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Santa Rosa more expensive than San Francisco?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Rosa is 6.8% lower than San Francisco (107.784 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between San Francisco and Santa Rosa?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.0°F in Santa Rosa vs 56.2°F in San Francisco (2.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 31.5 in vs 20.6 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Francisco.
City profiles: San Francisco, CA · Santa Rosa, CA.