same $100k income, fresh start from Melbourne
changea dispatch from
santa rosa
CA
38.44°N
122.71°W
Santa Rosa is the gateway to Sonoma wine country, less polished than Napa but more lived-in. Charles Schulz lived here and the Snoopy museum is a delight. The Russian River redwoods are 30 minutes west. The city itself has rebuilt impressively after the 2017 fires, with a downtown that mixes wineries, breweries, and farm-to-table restaurants. Cooler than San Francisco in summer.
the verdict
pricier each month than Melbourne
A real premium for Santa Rosa. Worth it only if the city itself is the whole point.
a quick ledger.
$2,597/mo
37% more expensive than Melbourne(vs $1,895/mo)
9.3%
$775/mo more in state tax than Melbourne
vs 0% in Melbourne
$4,961/mo
$1,477 less than Melbourne
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$817k
133% more expensive than Melbourne
vs $351k in Melbourne
482k
vs 644k in Melbourne
field notes, weather & such.
254
pleasant days a year, in santa rosa.
Melbourne keeps to 254 pleasant days a year. Summer is real but not punishing: 28 days top 95° vs Melbourne's 0.
69/100
25% higher than Melbourne
vs 55/100 in Melbourne
Closest outdoor draw: Sonoma Coast State Park, 17.4 mi.
98/100
17% higher than Melbourne
vs 84/100 in Melbourne
4
100% more than Melbourne
vs 2 nonstops in Melbourne
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