Moving from Santa Rosa, CA to Los Angeles, CA
It is a 428 mi drive, roughly 8h, between Santa Rosa, CA and Los Angeles, 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.
428 mi · 8h by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 580, I 5 TRUCK |
| Major cities en route | Long Beach, Fullerton, Pasadena, Downey, West Covina |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Rosa | Los Angeles | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 107.784 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.777 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 139.569 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Los Angeles runs about 5.4% more expensive overall than Santa Rosa — RPP 107.784 → 113.566.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $718,726 in Santa Rosa to $952,183 in Los Angeles, a 5.4% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Santa Rosa -2.2%, Los Angeles -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Santa Rosa | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 38°F | 48°F |
| July avg high | 82°F | 78°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 31.5" | 14.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 59.0°F vs 63.8°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Los Angeles sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SANTA ROSA, CA US, CULVER CITY, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Rosa | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,216 | 3,857,897 |
| Median household income | $97,410 | $80,366 |
| Median age | 40.5 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 24.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.72 |
Households in Los Angeles earn about 5.4% less at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Los Angeles MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
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
- Dry climate: Los Angeles sees only 14.1 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 much do homes cost in Los Angeles compared to Santa Rosa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $952,183 in Los Angeles vs $718,726 in Santa Rosa — a 32.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Santa Rosa vs Los Angeles?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $80,366 in Los Angeles vs $97,410 in Santa Rosa — a 17.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Santa Rosa and Los Angeles?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.8°F in Los Angeles vs 59.0°F in Santa Rosa (4.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 14.1 in vs 31.5 in.
How does the job market in Los Angeles compare to Santa Rosa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Los Angeles MSA vs $51,670 in the Santa Rosa MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 206,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Santa Rosa to Los Angeles?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 428 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Los Angeles more expensive than Santa Rosa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Los Angeles is 5.4% higher than Santa Rosa (113.566 vs 107.784, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Los Angeles, CA from Santa Rosa, CA?
The driving distance is 428 mi and the route typically takes 8h via I 5 and I 580. 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 · Los Angeles, CA.