Santa Rosa, CA vs Union City, CA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Santa Rosa is 24.9% cheaper than Union City. With a cost index of 158 vs 210, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Santa Rosa to Union City should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Santa Rosa is $2,084/month compared to $2,713/month in Union City — a 23% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Santa Rosa is more affordable at $685,000 median vs $1,058,200.

Median household income in Santa Rosa is $97,410 compared to $137,194 in Union City (-29%). While Union City is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Santa Rosa spend roughly 25.7% of their income on rent, more than the 23.7% in Union City.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (58.1°F vs 59.7°F). Santa Rosa receives more rainfall at 33.8" per year compared to 16" in Union City.