Moving from Sunnyvale, CA to Santa Rosa, CA
The 95 mi from Sunnyvale to Santa Rosa translate to about 2h 4m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β 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.
95 mi Β· 2h 4m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 101, CA 1 |
| Major cities en route | Vallejo, Richmond, Berkeley, Concord, Oakland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sunnyvale | Santa Rosa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.423 | 107.784 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 156.659 | 154.777 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 211.901 | 139.569 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Sunnyvale (110.423) and Santa Rosa (107.784) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Santa Rosa: 2.4% below Sunnyvale on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Sunnyvale -0.1%, Santa Rosa -2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Sunnyvale | Santa Rosa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 42Β°F | 38Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 82Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 13.5" | 31.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Santa Rosa β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MOFFETT FEDERAL AIRFIELD, CA US, SANTA ROSA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sunnyvale | Santa Rosa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 153,455 | 177,216 |
| Median household income | $181,862 | $97,410 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 40.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.3% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.61 | 2.6 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 2.4% between Sunnyvale 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 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 much do homes cost in Santa Rosa compared to Sunnyvale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $718,726 in Santa Rosa vs $2,168,909 in Sunnyvale β a 66.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Santa Rosa compare to Sunnyvale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $51,670 in the Santa Rosa MSA vs $81,470 in the Sunnyvale MSA, on total employment of 206,310 and 1,141,820 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Santa Rosa, CA from Sunnyvale, CA?
The driving distance is 95 mi and the route typically takes 2h 4m via US 101 and CA 1. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Sunnyvale vs Santa Rosa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $97,410 in Santa Rosa vs $181,862 in Sunnyvale β a 46.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Santa Rosa more expensive than Sunnyvale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Rosa is 2.4% lower than Sunnyvale (107.784 vs 110.423, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Sunnyvale to Santa Rosa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 95 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 Sunnyvale.
City profiles: Sunnyvale, CA Β· Santa Rosa, CA.