Redondo Beach, CA vs Santa Rosa, CA

The cost of living difference between Redondo Beach, CA and Santa Rosa, CA is dramatic. Santa Rosa is 38.2% cheaper than Redondo Beach, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Redondo Beach has a cost index of 218 while Santa Rosa sits at 158, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Redondo Beach is $2,562/month compared to $2,084/month in Santa Rosa — a 23% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Santa Rosa is more affordable at $685,000 median vs $1,225,400.

Median household income in Redondo Beach is $144,588 compared to $97,410 in Santa Rosa (+48.4%). While Redondo Beach is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Redondo Beach spend roughly 21.3% of their income on rent, less than the 25.7% in Santa Rosa.

Climate-wise, Redondo Beach is notably warmer with an average of 63°F compared to 58.1°F in Santa Rosa. Santa Rosa receives more rainfall at 33.8" per year compared to 13.6" in Redondo Beach.