How Much Does It Cost to Live in Sacramento, CA?

Are you considering moving to Sacramento? Commonly known as the Farm-to-Fork Capital, Sacto offers exceptional schools, exciting nightlife, and a thriving job market. Whether you're moving from across California, from a nearby state, or even cross-country, it's important to ask movers questions and be prepared for this city's cost of living. Read our Sacramento cost of living guide for more, including information on housing and utilities!

Cost of living data provided by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER).

How Much Does It Cost to Live in Sacramento?

Partially as a result of factors like utilities, transportation, and housing, the average cost of living in Sacramento is about 26% higher than the national average—but residents can still manage to live affordably through careful planning and budgeting. Find out more with these cost comparisons!

Cost of Housing in Sacramento

As expected with a large California city, Sacramento housing prices and rent are significantly higher than the national average—particularly rent, which is about 46% more expensive than the national average. However, it's relatively affordable compared to other California cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles. Additionally, Sacramento real estate can be a good long-term investment, as the market is very competitive. And as it's about 36% higher than the national average, purchasing a home is on average more budget-friendly than renting in Sactown.

Cost of Utilities in Sacramento (Monthly)

On average, monthly utility costs in Sacramento are much higher than the national rate. This is largely due to energy costs, which are up to 112.8% higher than the U.S. average. Though it's small, average phone service costs are about 1.82% lower, which helps compensate a little for higher energy costs.

Cost of Groceries in Sacramento

Grocery costs in Sacramento vary by product—as well as product preferences and household size. Most Sacramento households can expect to spend between $400 - $1,000 on groceries in a month, with the most costly items being ground beef, milk, and coffee. See more costs for groceries in Sacramento below.

Cost of Healthcare in Sacramento

Healthcare costs in Sacramento are slightly higher when visiting the doctor or optometrist, but prescription medication costs are 22.8% below the national average! Seem more healthcare costs below.

Cost of Transportation in Sacramento

Sacramento transportation costs are fairly high, with gas prices that are 52.8% higher than the national average and tire balance services that are 23.9% higher. However, commuters can take advantage of Sacto's bikeability, and how walkable the city center is. On top of that, Sacramento does offer bus routes, a light rail, and other public transit options through SacRT. See further transportation price details below.

Cost of Goods & Services in Sacramento

Costs of goods and services in Sacramento are 12.7% higher than the national average. This is especially seen in sectors like haircuts, movies, and salon visits—but residents do save on goods like toothpaste and wine. Discover how the prices for goods and services compare.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the more affordable NorCal city: Sacramento or San Francisco?

Sacramento is nearly 40% more affordable to live in than San Francisco, making Sactown the more affordable city in Northern California. Housing and groceries are the main culprits leading to high San Francisco living costs—but costs for transportation and goods and services are comparable to Sacramento's prices.

What is a living wage in Sacramento?

What's considered a living wage in Sacramento depends on family size and varying lifestyle choices. Generally, a comfortable living wage for a single adult is a little more than $47,000, but a family with two kids might want to bring in at least $115,000 to build healthy savings. Some affordable neighborhoods in Sacramento—such as College Glen, Natomas Park, and Tahoe Park—may allow you to live comfortably in California on a more budget-friendly lifestyle.

How to afford living in Sacramento?

As a large city with a high cost of living, it can be hard to imagine living in Sacramento affordably—but it's possible. Like with other California cities, Sacramento's housing costs are expensive—but down 2%! And residents can apply to programs to make homeownership more accessible. On top of this, the median household income is over $65,800, about 20% higher than the national average, making it easier to afford living in Sacramento.

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