Sacramento vs Santa Rosa
Side-by-side rent vs buy analysis comparing these two markets
Overall Comparison
Sacramento has an edge
Sacramento currently favors renting, with better rent-to-price dynamics.
Median Home PriceBETTER
$518,552.99
Median RentBETTER
$2,149.07/mo
Price-to-Rent RatioBETTER
20.1
Property Tax RateTIE
0.73%
Price Change (1Y)BETTER
-2.9%
Price Change (5Y)BETTER
-14.7%
Break-Even YearsTIE
N/A
10-Year Wealth DifferenceBETTER
$286,216
Median Home Price
$769,170.62
Median Rent
$2,611.99/mo
Price-to-Rent Ratio
24.5
Property Tax RateTIE
0.73%
Price Change (1Y)
-3.2%
Price Change (5Y)
-16.0%
Break-Even YearsTIE
N/A
10-Year Wealth Difference
$519,164
Key Differences
Home Prices
Sacramento's median home price of $518,552.99 is lower than Santa Rosa's $769,170.62 by 33%.
Monthly Rent
Renting in Sacramento costs $2,149.07/mo compared to $2,611.99/mo in Santa Rosa—a difference of $462.92/mo.
Buy vs Rent Verdict
Both cities currently favor renting.
Break-Even Timeline
Break-even analysis varies based on market conditions in each city.
Run Your Own Numbers
This comparison uses median values. Your income, savings, and goals matter. Use our Buy vs Rent calculator to get a personalized analysis.