San Jose vs Santa Rosa
Side-by-side rent vs buy analysis comparing these two markets
Overall Comparison
Santa Rosa has an edge
Santa Rosa currently favors renting, with better rent-to-price dynamics.
Median Home Price
$1,578,502.22
Median Rent
$3,419.28/mo
Price-to-Rent Ratio
38.5
Property Tax RateTIE
0.73%
Price Change (1Y)BETTER
-1.8%
Price Change (5Y)BETTER
-8.8%
Break-Even YearsTIE
N/A
10-Year Wealth Difference
$1,404,500
Median Home PriceBETTER
$769,170.62
Median RentBETTER
$2,611.99/mo
Price-to-Rent RatioBETTER
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 DifferenceBETTER
$519,164
Key Differences
Home Prices
San Jose's median home price of $1,578,502.22 is higher than Santa Rosa's $769,170.62 by 105%.
Monthly Rent
Renting in San Jose costs $3,419.28/mo compared to $2,611.99/mo in Santa Rosa—a difference of $807.29/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.