| Index | Sacramento | California | National |
| Cost of living | 139 | 141 | 100 |
| Groceries | 111 | 111 | 100 |
| Health care | 121 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 184 | 197 | 100 |
| Transportation | 125 | 118 | 100 |
| Utilities | 120 | 119 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 122 | 120 | 100 |
| Household Items | 110 | 111 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 136 | 127 | 100 |
Getting a feel for the cost of living in Sacramento is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Sacramento is 139, which is 39% higher than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.
If you prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, Sacramento may not be your ideal choice, as it ranks among the most expensive locations in the entire United States. A very small amount of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Sacramento falls into this category, which may not align with your preferences for a budget-friendly living environment.
When it comes to the cost of living in Sacramento, housing costs are a real heavyweight, often hogging a significant chunk of your earnings. Sadly, in this area, housing expenses for both buying and renting were 84.1% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.
The surge in grocery costs is indeed alarming, especially when groceries make up a large portion of your monthly expenditures. Over the past two years, there has been an inflation of over 10% in grocery prices. Unfortunately, Sacramento does not fare better, with grocery expenses coming in at 11% higher than the national average.
Locals have the inside scoop on their city. So, we polled 43 residents in Sacramento to learn how they view the cost of living. We asked how they felt about the cost of living in their area, and if they thought that prices were increasing, decreasing or staying the same. The verdict? 37% find it reasonable with decreasing prices, but 63% think it's quite pricey, with prices that continue to rise.
Wondering if Sacramento is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Sacramento, for example, the median home price is 103.9% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 37.8% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Sacramento boasting a median household income of $96,753, which is 19% higher than the national average.
Urbanization: Urban areas with a wealth of amenities and employment opportunities tend to come with a higher price tag for living. Why? Well, more people want to be there, which drives up home prices and rents. On the flip side, less densely populated rural areas or places where there's not as much demand usually mean fewer attractions, things to do and slower job growth. That often results in a lower cost of living.
Healthcare: Healthcare expenditures and insurance premium rates can vary significantly, contingent upon the particular city or state. Factors such as the accessibility of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs, and expenses related to specialized medical care can all have an impact on the overall cost of living. In Sacramento, healthcare costs are 21.2% higher than the national average.
Housing: A sought-after location with high housing demand often leads to increased property values and rental rates, which can significantly inflate the overall cost of living. Conversely, areas with low housing demand, particularly in less desirable locales, tend to experience the opposite effect, causing prices to drop and contributing to a more affordable cost of living. In Sacramento, the housing index stands at 84.1% higher than the national average.
The Sacramento cost of living estimates above use a normalized U.S. average of 100 as the baseline for comparison. Housing values incorporate local home price and rental information from the U.S. Census, while all other estimates are AI-assisted and modeled using expected everyday expenses, local market trends, climate, and transportation-related cost pressures. The results are intended for practical city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $134,234 | $11,186 | $3,132 | $4,027 |
| Renters | $72,135 | $6,011 | $1,683 | $2,164 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| California | 7.25% | 10.5% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| California | 1% | 13.3% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Clarksburg, CA | 377 | 117 | 17.0% |
| Freeport, CA | 71 | 116 | 15.6% |
| Hood, CA | 299 | 117 | 17.0% |
| Fruitridge Pocket, CA | 5,940 | 116 | 16.0% |
| McClellan Park, CA | 870 | 117 | 16.6% |
| Sacramento, CA | 520,516 | 139 | 39.2% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Mesa, AZ | 521,218 | 112 | 12.3% |
| Atlanta, GA | 514,426 | 119 | 18.7% |
| Kansas City, MO | 501,302 | 96 | 3.5% |
| Fresno, CA | 543,090 | 123 | 23.1% |
| Omaha, NE | 494,852 | 98 | 2.5% |
| Sacramento, CA | 520,516 | 139 | 39.2% |
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