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Cost of living in Sacramento, CA

Livability score 49 · cost-of-living index 109.1 (US = 100)

Sacramento, CA
Photo: Quintin Soloviev via Commons · CC BY 4.0

How Sacramento compares

Where Sacramento falls within the range of all 200 metros (marker = this city).

Cost-of-living index (US=100) 85 118 Cost-of-living index (US=100): 109 — range 85 to 118 across all metros 109 Median home price $149k $1610k Median home price: $583k — range $149k to $1610k across all metros $583k Price per sqft (more house = lower) $88 $1074 Price per sqft (more house = lower): $389 — range $88 to $1074 across all metros $389 Combined sales tax 0.0% 11.5% Combined sales tax: 8.8% — range 0.0% to 11.5% across all metros 8.8% Property tax rate 0.28% 2.76% Property tax rate: 0.79% — range 0.28% to 2.76% across all metros 0.79% Violent crime (per 100k, state avg) 110 1,000 Violent crime (per 100k, state avg): 500 — range 110 to 1,000 across all metros 500 Electricity (¢/kWh) 12.3 46.6 Electricity (¢/kWh): 35.3 — range 12.3 to 46.6 across all metros 35.3 Avg summer high (°F) 65° 104° Avg summer high (°F): 84° — range 65° to 104° across all metros 84° Avg winter low (°F) -2° 72° Avg winter low (°F): 45° — range -2° to 72° across all metros 45°

Map of Sacramento

Grocery stores, parks, golf courses and more — real listings. Toggle categories in the legend.

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors · business listings via Google Maps

Cost of living

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)109.1metro-area#183 of 200
Grocery index (US=100)104.9metro-area#180 of 200
Big Mac price (est.)$6.21metro-area#183 of 200
Median household income$89,227metro-area#33 of 200
Median wage (all occupations)$46,404metro-area#31 of 200

Who lives here

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Median age38.3 yearsmetro-area#94 of 200
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)36.3%metro-area#69 of 200
Foreign-born residents18.9%metro-area#33 of 200
Homes that are owner-occupied62.5%metro-area#146 of 200

Economy

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Unemployment rate5.74%metro-area#140 of 200
Population growth (5-yr)+5.6%metro-area#71 of 200

Housing — what your money buys

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Median home price$582,707metro-area#181 of 200
Home price ÷ income (affordability)6.5×metro-area#174 of 200
1-yr home appreciation-1.6%metro-area#168 of 200
Price per square foot$389metro-area#184 of 200
Typical home size (implied)1,500 sqft
Median rent (monthly)$2,283metro-area#177 of 200
Homes for sale (inventory)6,424
Median days on market12metro-area#65 of 200

Taxes

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)13.5%state#169 of 200
Combined sales tax8.82%state#150 of 200
State income tax (top rate)13.30%
Capital gains tax13.30%state#180 of 200
High earners1% Mental Health Services surtax on income over $1M (13.3% top rate)
Social Security in retirementNot taxed — does not tax Social Security benefits
Effective property tax rate0.79%metro-area#78 of 200
Median property tax paid$4,023metro-area#156 of 200

Health & childcare

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Life expectancy at birth78.9 yearsmetro-area#36 of 200
Healthcare (annual, single adult)$7,200state#139 of 200
Uninsured (share of residents)5.1%metro-area#21 of 200
Primary care providers per 100k97metro-area#20 of 200
Childcare (annual, infant, center)$19,000state#178 of 200

Vehicles & commute

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Annual registration$300state#174 of 200
Vehicle property tax (annual)0.65% of value (~$182/yr)state#115 of 200
Emissions testingRequired
Emissions detailSmog check every 2 years in most counties
DMV & license offices17
Avg commute to work28 minmetro-area#166 of 200
Commute by driving alone67.7%metro-area#29 of 200
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min38.0%metro-area#154 of 200

Utilities & fuel

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Electricity35.3¢/kWhstate#181 of 200
Avg monthly electric bill$317state#181 of 200
Gasoline$4.85/galstate#182 of 200
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)$72state#100 of 200
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)$138state#159 of 200
Home internet (avg monthly bill)$83state#135 of 200

Insurance

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Home insurance (annual)$1,500state#51 of 200
Auto insurance (annual)$2,400state#154 of 200

Disaster risk & supplemental insurance

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Main natural hazardsNotable hazards: wildfire, earthquakes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)96.1 — Relatively Highmetro-area#157 of 200
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)$750state#90 of 200
Earthquake insurance (annual)$950state#182 of 200

Climate & air quality

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)55metro-area#175 of 200
Cooling degree-days (AC load)1,000metro-area#78 of 200
Homes with air conditioning (state)72%state#171 of 200
Heating degree-days (heat load)2,200metro-area#51 of 200
Days per year ≥ 90°F74metro-area#159 of 200
Days per year ≥ 100°F16metro-area#188 of 200
Avg summer high (state)84°Fmetro-area#37 of 200
Avg winter low45°Fmetro-area#20 of 200
Annual precipitation19.2"metro-area#37 of 200
Annual snowfall0.0"metro-area#1 of 200
Sunshine (% of possible)78%metro-area#9 of 200
Plant hardiness zone9b
Frost window01-31 → 12-31

Safety

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)500state#161 of 200
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)2,330state#112 of 200

Local amenities & recreation

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Grocery stores76metro-area#97 of 200
Parks73
Hiking areas16
Golf courses29
Shooting ranges8
Lakes11

Permits

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)5state#165 of 200
Permit detailVery difficult; CEQA + local review, esp. SF/coastal

US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.

Top employers in Sacramento

Major public and private employers in the Sacramento, CA area.

EmployerSectorJobs
Sutter Health Healthcare Search →
UC Davis Health Healthcare Search →
California Department of Transportation Government Search →
State of California Government Search →
Intel Tech Careers →
Aerojet Aerospace/Defense Search →

Salaries by occupation in Sacramento

Local median pay, BLS OEWS. All occupations →

OccupationMedian pay
Dentists $170,080
Pharmacists $168,290
Lawyers $168,180
Registered Nurses $157,810
Marketing Managers $156,930
Human Resources Managers $154,830
Financial Managers $149,990
Physician Assistants $147,680
Software Developers $142,240
Physical Therapists $131,760
Civil Engineers $125,760
Construction Managers $120,900
Mechanical Engineers $118,050
General & Operations Managers $115,860
Dental Hygienists $114,650
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $112,230
Web Developers $96,130
Data Scientists $93,020
Accountants & Auditors $84,940
Elementary School Teachers $79,300
Electricians $74,170
Graphic Designers $67,290
Carpenters $65,470
Plumbers, Pipefitters & Steamfitters $61,610
Real Estate Sales Agents $60,850
Welders, Cutters & Solderers $59,940
Medical Assistants $59,520
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $58,700

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