Moving from Stockton, CA to Santa Rosa, CA
The 99 mi from Stockton to Santa Rosa translate to about 2h 23m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary — MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
99 mi · 2h 23m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 12, I 5, CA 121 |
| Major cities en route | Modesto, Elk Grove, Antioch, Concord, Fairfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Stockton | Santa Rosa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.089 | 107.784 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.247 | 154.777 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 115.614 | 139.569 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Santa Rosa and Stockton is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Santa Rosa is 2.6% above Stockton — $431,328 vs $718,726 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Stockton -3.7%, Santa Rosa -2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Stockton | Santa Rosa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 39°F | 38°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 82°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.3" | 31.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Stockton (63.9°F) and Santa Rosa (59.0°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Santa Rosa gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: STOCKTON FIRE STN 4, CA US, SANTA ROSA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Stockton | Santa Rosa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 320,470 | 177,216 |
| Median household income | $76,851 | $97,410 |
| Median age | 33.7 | 40.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 3.26 | 2.6 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 2.6% between Stockton and Santa Rosa (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.
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
- 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
Is Santa Rosa more expensive than Stockton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Rosa is 2.6% higher than Stockton (107.784 vs 105.089, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Santa Rosa compare to Stockton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $51,670 in the Santa Rosa MSA vs $48,370 in the Stockton MSA, on total employment of 206,310 and 278,010 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Stockton to Santa Rosa?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 99 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Stockton vs Santa Rosa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $97,410 in Santa Rosa vs $76,851 in Stockton — a 26.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Stockton and Santa Rosa?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.0°F in Santa Rosa vs 63.9°F in Stockton (4.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 31.5 in vs 17.3 in.
How far is Santa Rosa, CA from Stockton, CA?
The driving distance is 99 mi and the route typically takes 2h 23m via CA 12 and I 5. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Santa Rosa compared to Stockton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $718,726 in Santa Rosa vs $431,328 in Stockton — a 66.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Stockton.
City profiles: Stockton, CA · Santa Rosa, CA.