Cost of Living in Sacramento, CA
Sacramento is about 25% more expensive than the national average.
What Things Cost
Compared to the US average (100)
Census ACS 2024
Census ACS 2024
BEA RPP 2023
BEA RPP 2023
Sacramento at a Glance
On the median income of $91,387, state income tax is roughly $12,154/year.
Sources: Census ACS 2024, Tax Foundation.
Sacramento has become the go-to escape for Bay Area refugees who want to stay in California. The Farm-to-Fork Capital has a genuine food scene driven by Central Valley agriculture. The median home price of about $480,000 is less than half of San Francisco's. State government employment provides stability. The city has reinvested in its downtown, Midtown, and the waterfront.
How People Get Around
Source: Census ACS 2024.
Who Lives Here
Source: Census ACS 2024.
Why People Move to Sacramento
California living at roughly half the Bay Area price. The farm-to-table food scene is nationally recognized. Government and healthcare provide job stability. The revitalized downtown and Midtown have walkable character. Proximity to Lake Tahoe (90 minutes), Napa/Sonoma wine country (1 hour), and San Francisco (90 minutes) provides weekend variety.
Neighborhoods
Midtown is the walkable grid with restaurants and bars. East Sacramento has tree-lined streets and Tudor homes. Land Park has the zoo and established character. The Handle District and R Street corridor are trendy. Elk Grove and Roseville are family suburbs. West Sacramento offers lower prices across the river.
Things to Consider
Summer heat is intense (100°F+ regularly). California's 9.3%+ income tax applies statewide. Flood risk from the Sacramento and American Rivers is real. Air quality suffers from Central Valley agricultural burn and wildfire smoke. The city lacks the coastal climate and cultural density of San Francisco or LA.
Compare Sacramento To...
Frequently Asked Questions About Sacramento
Dramatically. Median homes are $515,800 vs $1.35 million. The same California income tax applies, but housing savings of $2,000+ per month change the financial picture completely.
Yes. The Farm-to-Fork Capital designation reflects genuine agricultural abundance. The Central Valley produces more food than any comparable region in America, and Sacramento restaurants leverage that proximity. Mulvaney's, The Kitchen, and a growing constellation of neighborhood restaurants have earned national attention.
Hot. Sacramento averages about 35 days above 100°F per year. July and August are consistently in the mid-to-high 90s. The heat is dry, making it more tolerable than humid cities, but air conditioning is essential. Fall through spring is pleasant.