Moving from San Mateo, CA to Santa Rosa, CA
The 74 mi from San Mateo to Santa Rosa translate to about 1h 40m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β 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.
74 mi Β· 1h 40m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 101, CA 1 |
| Major cities en route | Vallejo, Richmond, Berkeley, Concord, Oakland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Mateo | 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 |
Santa Rosa is 6.8% cheaper than San Mateo overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Santa Rosa is 6.8% below San Mateo β $1,686,905 vs $718,726 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: San Mateo +0.6%, Santa Rosa -2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Mateo | Santa Rosa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 38Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 82Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 19.6" | 31.5" |
Annual average temperatures in San Mateo (58.7Β°F) and Santa Rosa (59.0Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Santa Rosa gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US, SANTA ROSA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Mateo | Santa Rosa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,555 | 177,216 |
| Median household income | $152,669 | $97,410 |
| Median age | 38 | 40.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.6 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 6.8% between San Mateo 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 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 does household income compare in San Mateo vs Santa Rosa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $97,410 in Santa Rosa vs $152,669 in San Mateo β a 36.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from San Mateo 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 74 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 San Mateo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $718,726 in Santa Rosa vs $1,686,905 in San Mateo β a 57.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Santa Rosa compare to San Mateo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $51,670 in the Santa Rosa MSA vs $72,050 in the San Mateo 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 Mateo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Rosa is 6.8% lower than San Mateo (107.784 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Santa Rosa, CA from San Mateo, CA?
The driving distance is 74 mi and the route typically takes 1h 40m via US 101 and CA 1. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Mateo.
City profiles: San Mateo, CA Β· Santa Rosa, CA.