Moving from Santa Rosa, CA to Torrance, CA
It is a 442 mi drive, roughly 8h 18m, between Santa Rosa, CA and Torrance, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
442 mi Β· 8h 18m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 580, I 5 TRUCK |
| Major cities en route | Richmond, Vallejo, Fairfield, Berkeley, Oakland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Rosa | Torrance | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 107.784 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.777 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 139.569 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 5.4% higher cost of living β rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 5.4% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $718,726 to $1,124,932 moving to Torrance.
YoY change: Santa Rosa -2.2%, Torrance +0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Rosa | Torrance |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 38Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 76Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 31.5" | 13.8" |
Annual average temperatures in Santa Rosa (59.0Β°F) and Torrance (62.5Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ROSA, CA US, REDONDO BEACH, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Rosa | Torrance |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,216 | 143,499 |
| Median household income | $97,410 | $113,105 |
| Median age | 40.5 | 43.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 34.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.59 |
Households in Torrance earn about 5.4% more at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Torrance MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
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
- Dry climate: Torrance sees only 13.8 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 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
When is the best time to move from Santa Rosa to Torrance?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 442 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Torrance more expensive than Santa Rosa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Torrance is 5.4% higher than Santa Rosa (113.566 vs 107.784, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Torrance compared to Santa Rosa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,124,932 in Torrance vs $718,726 in Santa Rosa β a 56.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Santa Rosa vs Torrance?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,105 in Torrance vs $97,410 in Santa Rosa β a 16.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Torrance, CA from Santa Rosa, CA?
The driving distance is 442 mi and the route typically takes 8h 18m via I 5 and I 580. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Torrance compare to Santa Rosa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Torrance MSA vs $51,670 in the Santa Rosa MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 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 Β· Torrance, CA.