2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Ames, IA vs Santa Rosa, CA

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Santa Rosa or is it cheaper to live in Ames?
- Santa Rosa is 73.3% more expensive than Ames.

Which city has more affordable housing, Santa Rosa or Ames?
- Santa Rosa housing costs are 153.0% more expensive than Ames housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Ames or is Health Care more affordable in Santa Rosa.
- Health related expenses are 8.7% less in Santa Rosa.
 Ames, IASanta Rosa, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock151.8100
 Food & Groceries97.3  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock110.3100
 Housing88.5  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$666,900$338,100
 Utilities99  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock103.6100
 Miscellaneous114.1  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

Reviews for Ames    12 Reviews

Over 13 years ago

Hello, I am in San Jose Ca, but am seriously thinking of moving somewhere much slower for a better quality of living. I've just turned 59, so I'm kinda preparing for  More

   |    Reply

Over 13 years ago

Like every other city Ames has both good and bad points. The good points are: low cost of living, very friendly people, lots of outdoor activities and quite a few events  More

   |    Reply

Ames enjoys a high quality of life at a very affordable cost, substantially lower than many other communities. The presence of Iowa State University, a large (28,000  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Ames

Reviews for Santa Rosa    43 Reviews

I was born and raised here. Santa Rosa used to be a great city great location great weather but now it is overcrowded and crime is off the charts and housing is crazy  More

   |    Reply

I've lived her over 20 years and it's a pretty nice place. The main vibe is you feel safe doing this day or night. Most of the neighborhoods are well taken care of, they  More

   |    Reply

Terrible city that's hurting for money. After going on a long hiatus from enforcing traffic laws, they've recently turned their highways into an ATM machine/cash cow by  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Santa Rosa


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.