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Cost of Living in Sacramento, CA

Population 528,706 · Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates

Median rent$1,779
Median home value$506,300
Median household income$87,321

The median rent in Sacramento, CA is $1,779/month, 13% lower than the California median and 26% higher than the U.S. median. The median home value is $506,300, 52% higher than the national median. Households earn a median of $87,321 a year, 12% lower than the state median.

Affordability

Rent as a share of median income: 24.4%
Income needed for median rent (30% rule): $71,160/yr
Home price-to-income ratio: 5.8×
Est. mortgage on the median home (20% down, 6.5% for 30 yrs, principal + interest): $2,560/mo

Run your own numbers: mortgage calculator · hourly to salary

Sacramento vs. California vs. U.S.

SacramentoCaliforniaU.S.
Median rent$1,779$2,036$1,413
Median home value$506,300$734,700$332,700
Median household income$87,321$99,122$80,734
Homeownership rate51.7%55.9%65.2%
Bachelor's degree or higher37.1%37.1%35.7%
Poverty rate13.9%12.0%12.5%
Unemployment rate6.6%6.6%5.2%
Work from home19.7%17.2%15.1%
Median age36.037.938.9

FAQ

What is the average rent in Sacramento, CA?

The median gross rent in Sacramento, CA is $1,779 per month (ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimate).

How much do I need to earn to live in Sacramento, CA?

Using the common 30% rule, renting a median-priced home takes about $71,160 a year in gross income.

Is Sacramento, CA expensive to live in?

Rent there is 26% higher than the U.S. median, and the median home costs about 5.8 times the median household income.

Other cities in California

Los Angeles, CARent $1,933 · Income $81,939San Diego, CARent $2,313 · Income $108,077San Jose, CARent $2,669 · Income $146,427San Francisco, CARent $2,476 · Income $140,970Fresno, CARent $1,421 · Income $70,991Long Beach, CARent $1,871 · Income $87,430

Cities with a similar cost of living

Port St. John, FLRent $1,771 · Income $87,736Federal Way, WARent $1,797 · Income $86,909North Plainfield, NJRent $1,752 · Income $87,349Plainfield, NJRent $1,767 · Income $85,908Kearns metro township, UTRent $1,744 · Income $86,968South Portland, MERent $1,812 · Income $86,838

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates. Estimates have margins of error, especially for smaller places. This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.

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