Monterey Park, CA vs Santa Rosa, CA

Monterey Park, CA and Santa Rosa, CA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.3% difference in their overall index. Monterey Park scores 163 while Santa Rosa scores 158 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Monterey Park is $1,845/month compared to $2,084/month in Santa Rosa — a 12% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Monterey Park has cheaper rent, Santa Rosa actually has lower median home values ($685,000 vs $818,300).

Median household income in Monterey Park is $77,605 compared to $97,410 in Santa Rosa (-20.3%). Santa Rosa offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Monterey Park spend roughly 28.5% of their income on rent, more than the 25.7% in Santa Rosa.

Climate-wise, Monterey Park is notably warmer with an average of 65.8°F compared to 58.1°F in Santa Rosa. Santa Rosa receives more rainfall at 33.8" per year compared to 14.3" in Monterey Park.