City Comparison

Nampa vs Santa Rosa

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Nampa

Idaho
105
Average
$371,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$74,300
Median Income

Santa Rosa

California
152
Very Expensive
$720,000
Median Home
$2,100/mo
Median Rent
$94,300
Median Income

The Verdict

30.9%

Living in Nampa costs 30.9% less than Santa Rosa. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Nampa, you would need $108,571 in Santa Rosa.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
104
Nampa
233
Santa Rosa
Groceries
105
Nampa
107
Santa Rosa
Utilities
83
Nampa
135
Santa Rosa
Transportation
113
Nampa
128
Santa Rosa
Healthcare
102
Nampa
112
Santa Rosa

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Nampa has the same purchasing power as $108,571 in Santa Rosa.

Conversely, $75,000 in Santa Rosa equals $51,809 in Nampa.

Living in Nampa vs Santa Rosa

Housing Costs

Nampa's housing index of 104 is lower Santa Rosa's 233, translating to median home prices of $371,000 vs $720,000. The $349,000 difference in home prices means roughly $22,680 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Nampa compared to $2,100/mo in Santa Rosa, a monthly difference of $600.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 105 in Nampa and 107 in Santa Rosa. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $499/month in Nampa vs $508/month in Santa Rosa. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 83 in Nampa and 135 in Santa Rosa. Monthly utility bills average approximately $332 in Nampa vs $540 in Santa Rosa. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 102 in Nampa and 112 in Santa Rosa. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $74,300 in Nampa and $94,300 in Santa Rosa. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $70,762 and $62,039 respectively. Nampa residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,734/month to housing in Nampa vs $2,200/month in Santa Rosa. In Nampa, median rent of $1,500/mo fits within this budget. In Santa Rosa, median rent of $2,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 129 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nampa is 30.9% more affordable overall with an index of 105 vs 152.
A $75,000 salary in Nampa has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $108,571 in Santa Rosa, based on the cost of living difference.
Nampa's housing index is 104 with median homes at $371,000, while Santa Rosa's is 233 with median homes at $720,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases