City Comparison

Santa Rosa vs Tyler

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Santa Rosa

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

Tyler

Texas
85
Very Affordable
$250,000
Median Home
$1,075/mo
Median Rent
$54,800
Median Income

The Verdict

78.8%

Living in Tyler costs 78.8% less than Santa Rosa. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Santa Rosa, you would need $41,941 in Tyler.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
233
Santa Rosa
69
Tyler
Groceries
107
Santa Rosa
96
Tyler
Utilities
135
Santa Rosa
97
Tyler
Transportation
128
Santa Rosa
92
Tyler
Healthcare
112
Santa Rosa
93
Tyler

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Santa Rosa has the same purchasing power as $41,941 in Tyler.

Conversely, $75,000 in Tyler equals $134,118 in Santa Rosa.

Living in Santa Rosa vs Tyler

Housing Costs

Santa Rosa's housing index of 233 is higher Tyler's 69, translating to median home prices of $720,000 vs $250,000. The $470,000 difference in home prices means roughly $30,552 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,100/mo in Santa Rosa compared to $1,075/mo in Tyler, a monthly difference of $1,025.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 107 in Santa Rosa and 96 in Tyler. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $508/month in Santa Rosa vs $456/month in Tyler. Tyler offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $624/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 135 in Santa Rosa and 97 in Tyler. Monthly utility bills average approximately $540 in Santa Rosa vs $388 in Tyler. 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 112 in Santa Rosa and 93 in Tyler. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 19-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $94,300 in Santa Rosa and $54,800 in Tyler. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,039 and $64,471 respectively. Tyler residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,200/month to housing in Santa Rosa vs $1,279/month in Tyler. In Santa Rosa, median rent of $2,100/mo fits within this budget. In Tyler, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 164 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tyler is 78.8% more affordable overall with an index of 85 vs 152.
A $75,000 salary in Santa Rosa has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $41,941 in Tyler, based on the cost of living difference.
Santa Rosa's housing index is 233 with median homes at $720,000, while Tyler's is 69 with median homes at $250,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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