Moving from Hillsboro, OR to Santa Rosa, CA
A move from Hillsboro, OR to Santa Rosa, CA covers 617 mi and around 12h 28m of driving through 2 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
617 mi Β· 12h 28m by car Β· CA β OR
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β OR |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, CA 20, CA 29 |
| Major cities en route | Eugene, Salem, Gresham, Portland, Vancouver |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Hillsboro | Santa Rosa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.421 | 107.784 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.974 | 154.777 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.222 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.114 | 139.569 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Santa Rosa and Hillsboro is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Santa Rosa is 2.2% above Hillsboro β $522,557 vs $718,726 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Hillsboro -3.7%, Santa Rosa -2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Hillsboro | Santa Rosa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 38Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 82Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 35.9" | 31.5" |
Santa Rosa runs 6.5Β°F warmer on the annual average (52.5Β°F vs 59.0Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Santa Rosa gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PORTLAND-HILLSBORO AP, OR US, SANTA ROSA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Hillsboro | Santa Rosa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,050 | 177,216 |
| Median household income | $103,207 | $97,410 |
| Median age | 34.8 | 40.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.6% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.59 | 2.6 |
Median household income in Santa Rosa is 2.2% below Hillsboro ($103,207 β $97,410, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Santa Rosa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 22,200 | $36,990 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 22,130 | $50,550 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 19,610 | $42,770 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 15,180 | $45,180 |
| Management Occupations | 14,030 | $119,330 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Oregon and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Hillsboro to Santa Rosa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 617 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Santa Rosa, CA from Hillsboro, OR?
The driving distance is 617 mi and the route typically takes 12h 28m via I 5 and CA 20. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Santa Rosa compare to Hillsboro?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $51,670 in the Santa Rosa MSA vs $55,940 in the Hillsboro MSA, on total employment of 206,310 and 1,206,150 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Hillsboro vs Santa Rosa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $97,410 in Santa Rosa vs $103,207 in Hillsboro β a 5.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Santa Rosa more expensive than Hillsboro?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Rosa is 2.2% higher than Hillsboro (107.784 vs 105.421, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Santa Rosa compared to Hillsboro?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $718,726 in Santa Rosa vs $522,557 in Hillsboro β a 37.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Hillsboro.
City profiles: Hillsboro, OR Β· Santa Rosa, CA.