Edison vs. Santa Rosa: Detailed 2026 Cost of Living & Quality Comparison

Edison boasts a high Quality of Life score of 92, significantly exceeding Santa Rosa's overall score of 199.5. Edison excels in commute time (15 minutes) and has a lower Pollution Index (31) compared to Santa Rosa's 31.08. However, Santa Rosa's Quality of Life scores for specific areas like Fremont (136.93), El Dorado Hills (204.27), and Chico (247.7) are substantially higher than Edison's corresponding metrics, indicating potentially superior living conditions in those specific locations according to the quality index scale used.

Edison presents a much lower cost of living compared to Santa Rosa, particularly concerning housing. Edison's 1-bedroom apartment in the city center is priced at $310,000, far below Santa Rosa's $650,000 for a city-center unit. Converted to per square meter, Edison's city-center price is approximately $310,000 / 950 sqm ≈ $326,316 per sqm, still significantly cheaper than Santa Rosa's $4,615 per sqm for city-center properties. Edison's overall Cost of Living index is 57, while Santa Rosa's is 88.56, reflecting a substantial difference in living expenses.

While Edison's cost of living is lower, its average monthly net salary ($4,556.54) is considerably less than Santa Rosa's ($4,556.54). This suggests that residents in Edison might face a higher financial burden relative to their income compared to Santa Rosa, despite the lower absolute costs. Edison's GDP per capita is $74,600, slightly lower than Santa Rosa's $74,600, indicating comparable economic levels but different spending pressures.

Edison has a lower monthly public transport pass ($30) than Santa Rosa ($49.17). Edison's gasoline price is $3.19 per liter, cheaper than Santa Rosa's $1.27. Edison's commute time is shorter (15 minutes vs. Santa Rosa's 29 minutes), and its pollution index is slightly lower (31 vs. 31.08), suggesting potentially cleaner air and a less stressful daily commute.

In summary, Edison offers a significantly lower cost of living, particularly for housing, and a slightly shorter commute. Santa Rosa provides higher quality of life scores in many areas and higher average salaries, though at a much higher cost, especially for housing. The choice between the two cities depends heavily on whether the higher quality of life and salary in Santa Rosa justify the significantly higher expenses, or if the lower costs and slightly better commute in Edison are preferable.