Moving from Vallejo, CA to Santa Rosa, CA
Moving from Vallejo, CA to Santa Rosa, CA is a 42 mi drive, about 59 min by car. This is a local relocation β same-day moves are typical β but cost-of-living, housing, and tax lines still shift enough to plan around. The sections below pull current figures from BEA, the Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA for a side-by-side look.
42 mi Β· 59 min by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 101, CA 37, CA 116 |
| Major cities en route | Richmond, Fairfield, Berkeley, Concord, Oakland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Vallejo | Santa Rosa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.479 | 107.784 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.993 | 154.777 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 142.042 | 139.569 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Santa Rosa and Vallejo is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Santa Rosa is 0.6% above Vallejo β $520,970 vs $718,726 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Vallejo -5.4%, Santa Rosa -2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Vallejo | Santa Rosa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 42Β°F | 38Β°F |
| July avg high | 85Β°F | 82Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 21.5" | 31.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Vallejo (61.6Β°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: VALLEJO, CA US, SANTA ROSA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Vallejo | Santa Rosa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,637 | 177,216 |
| Median household income | $89,496 | $97,410 |
| Median age | 40 | 40.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.7% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.84 | 2.6 |
Median household income in Santa Rosa is 0.6% above Vallejo ($89,496 β $97,410, 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
When is the best time to move from Vallejo 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 42 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Santa Rosa, CA from Vallejo, CA?
The driving distance is 42 mi and the route typically takes 59 min via US 101 and CA 37. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Santa Rosa compared to Vallejo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $718,726 in Santa Rosa vs $520,970 in Vallejo β a 38.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Vallejo vs Santa Rosa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $97,410 in Santa Rosa vs $89,496 in Vallejo β a 8.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Santa Rosa more expensive than Vallejo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Rosa is 0.6% lower than Vallejo (107.784 vs 108.479, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Santa Rosa compare to Vallejo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $51,670 in the Santa Rosa MSA vs $53,520 in the Vallejo MSA, on total employment of 206,310 and 137,640 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 Vallejo.
City profiles: Vallejo, CA Β· Santa Rosa, CA.