Moving from Santa Rosa, CA to Fresno, CA
The 232 mi from Santa Rosa to Fresno translate to about 4h 36m 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.
232 mi · 4h 36m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 99, I 580, US 101 |
| Major cities en route | Clovis, Modesto, Stockton, Antioch, San Jose |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Rosa | Fresno | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 107.784 | 102.158 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.777 | 161.01 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 139.569 | 95.725 | 100.0 |
Fresno is 5.2% cheaper than Santa Rosa overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Fresno is 5.2% below Santa Rosa — $718,726 vs $391,328 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Santa Rosa -2.2%, Fresno +0.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Santa Rosa | Fresno |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 65°F |
| January avg low | 38°F | 41°F |
| July avg high | 82°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 31.5" | 11.0" |
Climate warms by 6.0°F on the annual average — 59.0°F → 65.0°F.
Fresno gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SANTA ROSA, CA US, FRESNO YOSEMITE INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Rosa | Fresno |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,216 | 543,615 |
| Median household income | $97,410 | $66,804 |
| Median age | 40.5 | 32.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 16.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 3.03 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 5.2% between Santa Rosa and Fresno (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fresno MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 46,600 | $45,210 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 40,930 | $38,480 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 35,500 | $32,240 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 33,440 | $33,710 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 32,010 | $59,270 |
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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Fresno average 98°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Fresno sees only 11.0 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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
When is the best time to move from Santa Rosa to Fresno?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 232 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Fresno compared to Santa Rosa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $391,328 in Fresno vs $718,726 in Santa Rosa — a 45.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Santa Rosa vs Fresno?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,804 in Fresno vs $97,410 in Santa Rosa — a 31.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Santa Rosa and Fresno?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 65.0°F in Fresno vs 59.0°F in Santa Rosa (6.0°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 11.0 in vs 31.5 in.
Is Fresno more expensive than Santa Rosa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fresno is 5.2% lower than Santa Rosa (102.158 vs 107.784, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Fresno, CA from Santa Rosa, CA?
The driving distance is 232 mi and the route typically takes 4h 36m via CA 99 and I 580. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Fresno compare to Santa Rosa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,530 in the Fresno MSA vs $51,670 in the Santa Rosa MSA, on total employment of 408,820 and 206,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Santa Rosa.
City profiles: Santa Rosa, CA · Fresno, CA.