Buy vs Rent in Santa Rosa, CA (2026)
Median home price $680K · 1BR rent $2,200/mo · Price-to-rent ratio 25.8x.
Median home price
$680K
1BR rent
$2,200/mo
Price-to-rent ratio
25.8x
Verdict
Rent signal
Monthly cost of buying — 3 scenarios
30-year mortgage at 7% · Includes property tax, insurance, and maintenance estimates
| 3.5% down (FHA) | 10% down | 20% down (conventional) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Down payment | $23,800 | $68,000 | $136,000 |
| Mortgage (P&I) | $4,366/mo | $4,072/mo | $3,619/mo |
| Property tax (est.) | $623/mo | $623/mo | $623/mo |
| Insurance (est.) | $283/mo | $283/mo | $283/mo |
| Maintenance (est.) | $567/mo | $567/mo | $567/mo |
| Total monthly cost | $5,839vs rent: +$3,639/mo | $5,545vs rent: +$3,345/mo | $5,092vs rent: +$2,892/mo |
| Income to qualify | $187,114/yr | $174,514/yr | $155,100/yr |
| Break-even (approx.) | ~1 yrs | ~2 yrs | ~4 yrs |
Santa Rosa housing context
$72K
Median HH income
per year
$155,100
Income needed (20% down)
per year
+$83K
Affordability gap
vs median income
Frequently asked questions
Is it better to buy or rent in Santa Rosa?
With a price-to-rent ratio of 25.8x, renting is often more cost-effective in Santa Rosa in the short term. Buying makes more sense if you plan to stay 7+ years and can make a larger down payment.
How much do I need to earn to buy a home in Santa Rosa?
With a median home price of $680K in Santa Rosa, you'd need an annual income of roughly $155,100 to qualify with 20% down (at 7% rate, 28% housing ratio). With 10% down, you'd need about $174,514/year.
Santa Rosa full cost of living breakdownCheaper cities near Santa RosaHow much to retire in Santa RosaCompare mortgage rates
Mortgage at 7% 30-yr fixed · Property tax 1.1% est. · Maintenance 1% est. · Zillow, BLS · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only