Moving from Santa Rosa, CA to Elk Grove, CA
Relocating between Santa Rosa, CA and Elk Grove, CA is a 102 mi drive β 2h 15m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
102 mi Β· 2h 15m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, CA 12, CA 99 |
| Major cities en route | Sacramento, Roseville, Fairfield, Antioch, Concord |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Rosa | Elk Grove | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 107.784 | 106.67 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.777 | 151.29 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 139.569 | 130.23 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 1.0% under Santa Rosa β $718,726 β $637,450 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Santa Rosa -2.2%, Elk Grove -3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Rosa | Elk Grove |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 38Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 31.5" | 18.1" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ROSA, CA US, SACRAMENTO EXECUTIVE AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Rosa | Elk Grove |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,216 | 177,221 |
| Median household income | $97,410 | $122,229 |
| Median age | 40.5 | 39 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 25.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 3.24 |
Expect median household income to rise 1.0% β $97,410 β $122,229 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Elk Grove MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 127,580 | $49,240 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 92,040 | $35,560 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 79,450 | $43,790 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 78,260 | $38,490 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 71,860 | $81,700 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Elk Grove average 93Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Elk Grove compared to Santa Rosa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $637,450 in Elk Grove vs $718,726 in Santa Rosa β a 11.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Santa Rosa to Elk Grove?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 102 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Santa Rosa vs Elk Grove?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $122,229 in Elk Grove vs $97,410 in Santa Rosa β a 25.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Elk Grove compare to Santa Rosa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $55,290 in the Elk Grove MSA vs $51,670 in the Santa Rosa MSA, on total employment of 1,048,170 and 206,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Elk Grove more expensive than Santa Rosa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elk Grove is 1.0% lower than Santa Rosa (106.67 vs 107.784, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Elk Grove, CA from Santa Rosa, CA?
The driving distance is 102 mi and the route typically takes 2h 15m via I 80 and CA 12. 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 Β· Elk Grove, CA.