Cost of Living in Sacramento, CA
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.
Salary comparison calculator
What would you need to earn in Sacramento, CA to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?
How expensive is Sacramento, CA?
With a price level of 106.7 (U.S. average = 100), Sacramento, CA is more expensive than average. In detail, housing costs run 30% above average; everyday goods run 5% above average; utilities run 51% above average; other services such as healthcare and dining cost about the same as the national average. The biggest difference from the national average is in utilities.
Prices in Sacramento, CA vs. the U.S. average
| Category | Index (U.S. = 100) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 106.7 | +6.7% |
| Housing | 130.2 | +30.2% |
| Goods | 105.2 | +5.2% |
| Utilities | 151.3 | +51.3% |
| Other services | 100.3 | +0.3% |
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Rent in Sacramento, CA
| Unit | Monthly rent | Income needed (30% rule) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,735 | $69,400/yr |
| 1 bedroom | $1,812 | $72,480/yr |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,241 | $89,640/yr |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,994 | $119,760/yr |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,434 | $137,360/yr |
HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.
Salary needed to live in Sacramento, CA
To keep the same standard of living as in an average-priced U.S. city, you would need to earn roughly:
| Salary in an average U.S. city | Equivalent in Sacramento, CA | Take-home here |
|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $42,700 | $35,237 |
| $60,000 | $64,000 | $50,864 |
| $80,000 | $85,300 | $64,026 |
| $100,000 | $106,700 | $76,813 |
| $150,000 | $160,000 | $107,896 |
Scaled by the BEA price level (pre-tax). Take-home: single filer, California 2026 taxes. For a tax-aware comparison with a specific city, use the calculator above.
A monthly budget on the median wage
A single worker earning Sacramento, CA's median wage of $59,750 takes home about $3,981 a month. A typical one-bedroom rents for $1,812, which is 46% of take-home pay — well above the 30% guideline, so many workers here share housing or rent smaller units. That leaves about $2,169 a month for everything else.
Take-home pay in Sacramento, CA
- Federal income tax$4,990
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,705
- Medicare (1.45%)$866
- California income tax$1,634
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$777
- Take-home pay$47,778
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% state
Highest-paying jobs in Sacramento, CA
*In U.S.-average dollars after adjusting for local prices.
Pay and living costs in California cities
Half of California’s 18,213,700 workers earn less than $58,240 a year and half earn more; the middle 50% earn $41,600–$97,880 (BLS, May 2025). Prices vary a lot within the state: San Jose, CA stretches a paycheck furthest, while Salinas, CA is the costliest.
| Metro area | Median pay | Price level | 1-BR rent | Rent share | Left after rent / mo | Buying power* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | $55,850 | 113.6 | $2,245 | 60% | $1,499 | $39,562 |
| San Francisco, CA | $74,260 | 115.6 | $2,620 | 55% | $2,161 | $49,629 |
| Riverside, CA | $48,400 | 106.4 | $1,777 | 54% | $1,514 | $37,097 |
| San Diego, CA | $58,690 | 111.9 | $2,459 | 63% | $1,458 | $42,010 |
| San Jose, CA | $84,050 | 110.4 | $2,957 | 56% | $2,316 | $57,306 |
| Sacramento, CA | $59,750 | 106.7 | $1,812 | 46% | $2,169 | $44,790 |
| Fresno, CA | $46,910 | 102.2 | $1,315 | 41% | $1,885 | $37,586 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $47,470 | 100.9 | $1,140 | 35% | $2,094 | $38,467 |
| Oxnard, CA | $52,510 | 110.5 | $2,250 | 64% | $1,291 | $38,440 |
| Stockton, CA | $48,990 | 105.1 | $1,395 | 42% | $1,931 | $37,985 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $56,850 | 107.8 | $2,155 | 57% | $1,650 | $42,362 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $51,690 | 108.8 | $2,746 | 79% | $745 | $38,503 |
| Modesto, CA | $50,610 | 104.1 | $1,356 | 40% | $2,069 | $39,479 |
| Salinas, CA | $47,380 | 109.0 | $2,232 | 69% | $996 | $35,529 |
| Visalia, CA | $45,130 | 99.8 | $1,123 | 36% | $1,965 | $37,126 |
*Yearly take-home pay (on each metro’s median wage, single filer) in U.S.-average dollars. Price level: BEA RPP 2024 (U.S. = 100). Rent: HUD FY2026 one-bedroom fair market rent.
Sacramento, CA vs. similar-size cities
| Metro area | Price level | 1-BR rent | Median wage | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sacramento, CA | 106.7 | $1,812 | $59,750 | 1,080,590 |
| Kansas City, MO | 92.5 | $1,193 | $50,820 | 1,096,110 |
| Nashville, TN | 96.3 | $1,530 | $50,390 | 1,099,300 |
| Cincinnati, OH | 95.4 | $1,043 | $50,170 | 1,101,030 |
| Indianapolis, IN | 95.7 | $1,242 | $49,340 | 1,105,170 |
| Columbus, OH | 95.5 | $1,179 | $51,340 | 1,105,580 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 94.7 | $1,058 | $49,650 | 1,114,490 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Sacramento, CA expensive to live in?
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, overall prices in the Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA metro area are 106.7% of the U.S. average, with housing at 130.2%. It is the #22 most expensive of 387 metro areas we track.
What salary do you need to live in Sacramento, CA?
To match the buying power of a $60,000 salary in an average-priced U.S. city you would need about $64,002 in Sacramento, CA (before tax differences). The median wage across all jobs here is $59,750.
Can you afford Sacramento, CA on the median wage?
A single worker on the $59,750 median wage takes home about $3,981 a month after 2026 taxes; a one-bedroom at $1,812 would take 46% of that.
How much is rent in Sacramento, CA?
HUD’s FY2026 fair market rents for Sacramento, CA are $1,735 for a studio, $1,812 for one bedroom, $2,241 for two bedrooms and $2,994 for three bedrooms, including utilities.
Top salaries by field in Sacramento, CA
Management Occupations
- Chief Executive — $169,770
- Computer and Information Systems Manager — $165,270
- Managers, All Other — $163,130
- Financial Manager — $163,090
- Medical and Health Services Manager — $159,350
- Construction Manager — $129,440
- General and Operations Manager — $118,460
- Sales Manager — $113,980
Business and Financial Operations Occupations
- Project Management Specialist — $124,350
- Compliance Officer — $95,220
- Accountant and Auditor — $92,110
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators — $87,910
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $84,290
- Management Analyst — $82,990
- Human Resources Specialist — $80,950
- Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist — $78,630
Computer and Mathematical Occupations
- Software Developer — $139,640
- Computer Systems Analyst — $122,330
- Computer Occupations, All Other — $110,980
- Computer User Support Specialist — $106,040
- Data Scientist — $103,700
Architecture and Engineering Occupations
- Civil Engineer — $130,150
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
Community and Social Service Occupations
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors — $100,930
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers — $63,270
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors — $61,050
- Social and Human Service Assistant — $53,810
Legal Occupations
- Lawyer — $178,540
- Paralegal and Legal Assistant — $78,550
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $105,060
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education — $103,390
- Teachers and Instructors, All Other — $81,720
- Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary — $61,780
- Substitute Teachers, Short-Term — $59,780
- Self-Enrichment Teacher — $49,040
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary — $45,990
- Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education — $44,250
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations
- Public Relations Specialist — $89,640
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
- Registered Nurse — $171,460
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $81,570
- Pharmacy Technician — $58,470
Healthcare Support Occupations
- Medical Assistant — $61,970
- Dental Assistant — $58,580
- Nursing Assistant — $47,510
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $34,320
Protective Service Occupations
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $111,460
- Firefighter — $94,080
- Security Guard — $39,460
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $46,840
- Cooks, Restaurant — $44,230
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $42,860
- Cooks, Fast Food — $42,210
- Food Preparation Worker — $38,480
- Dishwasher — $36,930
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $36,110
- Bartender — $35,510
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker — $45,110
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners — $41,450
- Maid and Housekeeping Cleaner — $38,730
Personal Care and Service Occupations
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $51,240
- Recreation Worker — $38,820
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $36,010
- Manicurist and Pedicurist — $35,340
Sales and Related Occupations
- Insurance Sales Agent — $80,940
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products — $75,250
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel — $71,910
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents — $70,870
- First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers — $52,590
- Counter and Rental Clerk — $45,120
- Retail Salesperson — $38,100
- Cashier — $36,790
Office and Administrative Support Occupations
- Executive Secretary and Executive Administrative Assistant — $87,910
- First-Line Supervisor of Office and Administrative Support Workers — $77,350
- Billing and Posting Clerk — $58,190
- Medical Secretary and Administrative Assistant — $57,730
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks — $56,840
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive — $55,020
- Customer Service Representative — $49,940
- Office Clerks, General — $48,940
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations
Construction and Extraction Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers — $96,860
- Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator — $91,650
- Electrician — $74,830
- Carpenter — $74,440
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — $65,210
- Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installer — $63,540
- Construction Laborer — $60,560
- Cement Mason and Concrete Finisher — $60,240
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers — $92,680
- Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic — $72,020
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers — $66,670
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General — $56,570
Production Occupations
- Miscellaneous Assembler and Fabricator — $45,750
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
- First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors — $63,240
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver — $60,810
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator — $47,570
- Light Truck Driver — $46,340
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $45,930
- Stocker and Order Filler — $43,200
- Cleaner of Vehicles and Equipment — $37,700
- Packers and Packagers, Hand — $37,450