Moving from Santa Rosa, CA to Antioch, CA
It is a 74 mi drive, roughly 1h 39m, between Santa Rosa, CA and Antioch, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
74 mi · 1h 39m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 101, CA 4, CA 37 |
| Major cities en route | Vallejo, Richmond, Fairfield, Berkeley, Oakland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Rosa | Antioch | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 107.784 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.777 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 139.569 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 7.3% above Santa Rosa — 107.784 → 115.613 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 7.3% under Santa Rosa — $718,726 → $598,211 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Santa Rosa -2.2%, Antioch -3.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Santa Rosa | Antioch |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 63°F |
| January avg low | 38°F | 40°F |
| July avg high | 82°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 31.5" | 12.6" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Antioch — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SANTA ROSA, CA US, ANTIOCH PUMPING PLT #3, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Rosa | Antioch |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,216 | 115,759 |
| Median household income | $97,410 | $94,256 |
| Median age | 40.5 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 17.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 3.13 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Antioch MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 244,380 | $59,630 |
| Management Occupations | 237,070 | $171,350 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 211,250 | $104,950 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 194,040 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 183,930 | $49,390 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Antioch average 91°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Antioch sees only 12.6 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — 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.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Antioch compare to Santa Rosa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Antioch MSA vs $51,670 in the Santa Rosa MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 206,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Santa Rosa and Antioch?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 62.5°F in Antioch vs 59.0°F in Santa Rosa (3.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 12.6 in vs 31.5 in.
Is Antioch more expensive than Santa Rosa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Antioch is 7.3% higher than Santa Rosa (115.613 vs 107.784, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Antioch compared to Santa Rosa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $598,211 in Antioch vs $718,726 in Santa Rosa — a 16.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Santa Rosa vs Antioch?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $94,256 in Antioch vs $97,410 in Santa Rosa — a 3.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Santa Rosa to Antioch?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 74 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Antioch, CA from Santa Rosa, CA?
The driving distance is 74 mi and the route typically takes 1h 39m via US 101 and CA 4. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Santa Rosa.
City profiles: Santa Rosa, CA · Antioch, CA.