Tempe vs Santa Rosa: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Tempe, AZ and Santa Rosa, CA, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Santa Rosa, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 181,005 | 178,221 |
| Median household income | $72,022 | $92,604 |
| Median home value | $382,100 | $661,700 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $1,472 | $2,024 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Tempe, AZ and Santa Rosa, CA comes down to what you value most. Tempe has the lower median home value, and Tempe has the lower median rent.
Santa Rosa has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Tempe or Santa Rosa?
- By median home value, Tempe is the cheaper of the two ($382,100 vs $661,700). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Tempe or Santa Rosa?
- Median household income is $72,022 in Tempe versus $92,604 in Santa Rosa, per the US Census Bureau.