Moving from Seattle, WA to Santa Rosa, CA
Relocating 786 mi from Seattle to Santa Rosa is a 15h 43m drive through 3 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
786 mi · 15h 43m by car · WA → OR → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | WA → OR → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, CA 20, CA 29 |
| Major cities en route | Everett, Bellevue, Renton, Kent, Tacoma |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Seattle | Santa Rosa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 107.784 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 154.777 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 139.569 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 111.133 vs 107.784 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect around 3.0% lower home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Seattle -2.3%, Santa Rosa -2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Seattle | Santa Rosa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 37°F | 38°F |
| July avg high | 77°F | 82°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.8" | 31.5" |
Expect 5.8°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Santa Rosa 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: SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO, WA US, SANTA ROSA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Seattle | Santa Rosa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 741,440 | 177,216 |
| Median household income | $121,984 | $97,410 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 40.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.6% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.1 | 2.6 |
Expect median household income to fall 3.0% — $121,984 → $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.
Moving between Washington and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March — check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- 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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Santa Rosa compare to Seattle?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $51,670 in the Santa Rosa MSA vs $65,260 in the Seattle MSA, on total employment of 206,310 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Seattle vs Santa Rosa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $97,410 in Santa Rosa vs $121,984 in Seattle — a 20.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Santa Rosa compared to Seattle?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $718,726 in Santa Rosa vs $868,680 in Seattle — a 17.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Seattle and Santa Rosa?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.0°F in Santa Rosa vs 53.2°F in Seattle (5.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 3.8 in. Annual precipitation: 31.5 in vs 37.8 in.
Is Santa Rosa more expensive than Seattle?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Rosa is 3.0% lower than Seattle (107.784 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Seattle 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 786 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Santa Rosa, CA from Seattle, WA?
The driving distance is 786 mi and the route typically takes 15h 43m via I 5 and CA 20. The trip crosses 3 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 Seattle.
City profiles: Seattle, WA · Santa Rosa, CA.