Santa Rosa vs Salem: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Santa Rosa, CA and Salem, OR, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Santa Rosa, CA | Salem, OR |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 178,221 | 175,754 |
| Median household income | $92,604 | $67,540 |
| Median home value | $661,700 | $349,500 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $2,024 | $1,224 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
Ad slot:
compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Santa Rosa, CA and Salem, OR comes down to what you value most. Salem has the lower median home value, and Salem 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 Santa Rosa or Salem?
- By median home value, Salem is the cheaper of the two ($349,500 vs $661,700). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Santa Rosa or Salem?
- Median household income is $92,604 in Santa Rosa versus $67,540 in Salem, per the US Census Bureau.