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

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Santa Rosa or is it cheaper to live in Carlsbad?
- Santa Rosa is 2.0% less expensive than Carlsbad.

Which city has more affordable housing, Santa Rosa or Carlsbad?
- Santa Rosa housing costs are 42.8% less expensive than Carlsbad housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Carlsbad or is Health Care more affordable in Santa Rosa.
- Health related expenses are 23.9% more in Santa Rosa.
 Carlsbad, CASanta Rosa, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock151.8100
 Food & Groceries113.5  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock110.3100
 Housing391.6  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$666,900$338,100
 Utilities97  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock103.6100
 Miscellaneous154.1  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Carlsbad    38 Reviews

I've lived in Carlsbad (92008) for 8 years now and really appreciate all that it has to offer. Yes, ALL of San Diego County is expensive, but Carlsbad has [possibly]  More

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Over 4 years ago

Carlson has the worst winters. It averages about 10 meters of snow per week. Every shop is  More

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Ok, I get it, the climate is mild and tolerable but even that is over-rated when you consider how many cloudy days there are in this town. The sun coming out at 3 and  More

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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

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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

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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

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