Cost of Living Comparison for Sacramento, CA
Updated 2026 · Local data pre-filled
Sacramento's cost of living index is 126 — 26% more expensive than the national average. This factors in housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare. Use this calculator to see how your purchasing power would change if you moved to another city.
✓ Calculator below is pre-filled with Sacramento local data
How Sacramento Compares to the National Average
Understanding how Sacramento stacks up helps you calibrate your financial planning.
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | US Average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Price | $480,000 | $420,800 | +14.1% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,450 | $1,713 | -15.4% |
| Median Household Income | $78,600 | $74,580 | +5.4% |
| Property Tax Rate | 0.73% | 1.10% | -33.6% |
| Cost of Living Index | 126 | 100 | +26.0% |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, NAR (2024–2025). Green = favorable for residents; red = less favorable.
Sacramento Financial Snapshot
- Population (Metro)
- 2,380,000
- Unemployment
- 4.7%
- Avg Commute
- 28 min
- Median Age
- 36.9
- Price-to-Rent Ratio
- 27.6x
- Annual Property Tax
- $3,504
Cost of Living Comparison in Other California Cities
Frequently Asked Questions — Sacramento
What is the median home price in Sacramento, CA?
The median home price in Sacramento is $480,000 as of 2025–2026. This is above the national median of $420,800.
What is the average rent in Sacramento?
Median monthly rent in Sacramento is $1,450. That works out to $17,400/year, or 22% of the median household income — within the commonly recommended 30% of income guideline.
Is Sacramento affordable?
Sacramento's cost of living index is 126 vs. the national average of 100. With a median household income of $78,600/year and a median home price of $480,000, the price-to-income ratio is 6.1x. This makes homeownership a significant stretch for the typical Sacramento household.
What is the property tax rate in Sacramento?
The effective property tax rate in Sacramento is 0.73% of assessed value. On the median home of $480,000, that's roughly $3,504/year ($292/month).