Moving from Santa Rosa, CA to Vallejo, CA
The drive from Santa Rosa to Vallejo covers 42 mi in about 59 min. Local moves still matter β school districts, tax jurisdictions, and housing micromarkets can all flip across short distances. This page pulls the latest federal and Zillow figures into a single side-by-side comparison to make those differences visible.
42 mi Β· 59 min by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 101, CA 37, CA 116 |
| Major cities en route | Richmond, Fairfield, Berkeley, Concord, Oakland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Rosa | Vallejo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 107.784 | 108.479 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.777 | 154.993 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 139.569 | 142.042 | 100.0 |
Vallejo and Santa Rosa are close on the overall BEA RPP (107.784 vs 108.479); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Vallejo typical home at $520,970 is 0.6% under Santa Rosa at $718,726 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Santa Rosa -2.2%, Vallejo -5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Rosa | Vallejo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 38Β°F | 42Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 31.5" | 21.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 59.0Β°F vs 61.6Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ROSA, CA US, VALLEJO, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Rosa | Vallejo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,216 | 124,637 |
| Median household income | $97,410 | $89,496 |
| Median age | 40.5 | 40 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 19.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.84 |
Income steps down 0.6%: $97,410 in Santa Rosa vs $89,496 in Vallejo.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Vallejo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 14,510 | $51,200 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 13,960 | $36,120 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 12,440 | $43,450 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 12,220 | $37,910 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 10,450 | $34,840 |
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
- 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 does the job market in Vallejo compare to Santa Rosa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $53,520 in the Vallejo MSA vs $51,670 in the Santa Rosa MSA, on total employment of 137,640 and 206,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Vallejo, CA from Santa Rosa, CA?
The driving distance is 42 mi and the route typically takes 59 min via US 101 and CA 37. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Vallejo compared to Santa Rosa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $520,970 in Vallejo vs $718,726 in Santa Rosa β a 27.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Santa Rosa vs Vallejo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $89,496 in Vallejo vs $97,410 in Santa Rosa β a 8.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Vallejo more expensive than Santa Rosa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Vallejo is 0.6% higher than Santa Rosa (108.479 vs 107.784, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Santa Rosa to Vallejo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 42 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
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· Vallejo, CA.