San Francisco vs Sacramento: Cost of Living

34%

San Francisco is about 34% more expensive than Sacramento overall.

How San Francisco Compares to Sacramento

Category by category

Renting ▲ 33%
Buying ▲ 155%
Goods ▲ 10%
Services ▲ 50%

Key Facts

San FranciscoSacramento
Median Rent$2,448/mo$1,846/mo
Median Home$1,314,700$515,800
Median Income$139,801$91,387
State Income TaxUp to 13.3%Up to 13.3%
Sales Tax8.625%8.75%

Housing: The Biggest Difference

Sacramento has the lower median home price by $798,900. Monthly rent is $602/month cheaper in Sacramento.

Compare With Your Salary

Sources: Housing from Census ACS 2024. Goods and services from BEA Regional Price Parities 2023. Taxes from Tax Foundation. Full disclaimer.

San Francisco vs Sacramento FAQ

Rent is $602/month cheaper in Sacramento. San Francisco's median rent is $2,448/month, while Sacramento's is $1,846/month. Source: Census ACS 2024.

Sacramento has the lower median home price at $515,800, saving $798,900 compared to San Francisco. Source: Census ACS 2024.