Redlands, CA vs Santa Rosa, CA

Redlands is moderately more affordable than Santa Rosa, with a 9.8% lower cost of living index. Redlands scores 142 compared to 158 for Santa Rosa, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Santa Rosa can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Redlands is $1,883/month compared to $2,084/month in Santa Rosa — a 10% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Redlands is more affordable at $583,000 median vs $685,000.

Median household income in Redlands is $99,158 compared to $97,410 in Santa Rosa (+1.8%). Redlands offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Redlands spend roughly 22.8% of their income on rent, less than the 25.7% in Santa Rosa.

Climate-wise, Redlands is notably warmer with an average of 63.3°F compared to 58.1°F in Santa Rosa. Santa Rosa receives more rainfall at 33.8" per year compared to 10.7" in Redlands.