Direct Answer
Sacramento, CA has a CostOfCity index of 122, which is 22% above the national baseline. Average modeled rent is $1,779/month and the single-adult living cost estimate is $4,736/month.
How to Use This City Page
Cost of Living in Sacramento: The Full Picture
Sacramento — Sac Town — is home to roughly 525,000 people in the heart of California's western landscape. With everyday expenses running 22% above the national average, this is a city where a tech-driven economy where high tech-sector salaries inflate prices across every category. That economic DNA shapes everything from housing to what you pay for a plumber. Below you'll find cost data across every category we track.
Sacramento Cost Index by Category
Each bar shows how the Sacramento cost index for that category compares to the US national baseline of 100.
Sacramento has a premium coastal market where housing costs force six-figure earners to budget carefully
The housing market features a seller's market where bidding wars are the norm, not the exception
Sun exposure degrades roofing and paint faster than in overcast climates, shortening replacement cycles by 20-30%.. The lifestyle here is characterized by Plenty of outdoor recreation within driving distance, and a population that often prefers a Saturday on the trails to one at the mall..
At 22% above the national baseline, Sacramento isn't cheap, but it's far from the most expensive market either. Smart housing choices and lifestyle adjustments can make your budget work comfortably.
💰 Purchasing Power in Sacramento
Purchasing power adjusted to national average baseline. In Sacramento, your dollar buys 18% less than the national average.
🔺 Where Sacramento Costs More
📊 Closest to National Average
Sacramento is above average in most categories. These cost the least above baseline:
💰 Salary Landscape
vs national average · higher = better
Monthly Living Expenses in Sacramento
What it actually costs to live in Sacramento each month — from tight budgets to comfortable lifestyles.
Estimates include housing, food, transportation, utilities, insurance, and discretionary spending. Based on Sacramento's cost index of 122 applied to national spending surveys.
🏘️ Neighborhood Cost Variation
Don't let the metro-wide numbers fool you — Sacramento is a city of micro-markets. The most expensive ZIP codes can cost twice as much as the most affordable ones for identical services. Even budget-friendly neighborhoods here will run above the national average, but the gap can be manageable.
Sacramento vs U.S. Average Cost of Living
Category-by-category affordability grades — based on deviation from the national average.
🏠 Home Services in Sacramento
What contractors charge for the most common repairs, installations, and remodels
Roof Replacement
+54%HVAC Installation
+21%Plumbing Services
+14%Electrical Work
+10%Kitchen Remodel
+54%Bathroom Remodel
+37%House Painting
+7%Flooring Installation
+50%Landscaping
+34%Fence Installation
+22%Window Replacement
+28%Solar Panel Installation
+22%Water Heater Replacement
+41%Deck Building
+22%Pool Installation
+10%Tree Removal
+28%Garage Door Repair
+50%💼 Business Startup Costs in Sacramento
Full startup cost breakdowns — from lease deposits to working capital
Start a Restaurant
+45%Start a Coffee Shop
+13%Start a Food Truck
+34%Start a Gym
+44%Start a Daycare
+29%Start a Hair Salon
+41%Start a Laundromat
+22%Start a Bakery
+2%Start a Bar
+23%Start a Cleaning Business
+11%Start an Airbnb
+34%Start a Trucking Business
+14%📊 Cost of Living in Sacramento
Monthly expenses for housing, food, transportation, and everyday necessities
Cost of Living
+18%Rent Prices
+26%Grocery Costs
+28%Utility Costs
+16%Transportation Costs
+1%Childcare Costs
+24%Gym Membership
+17%🛡️ Insurance in Sacramento
Annual and monthly premium estimates for major insurance categories
Car Insurance
+1%Home Insurance
+23%Health Insurance
+26%Business Insurance
+6%Life Insurance
+22%Renters Insurance
+21%Pet Insurance
+13%Dental Insurance
+34%Motorcycle Insurance
+22%⚖️ Legal Services in Sacramento
Attorney fees, court costs, and total legal service expenses
Personal Injury Lawyer
+31%Divorce Lawyer
+28%DUI Lawyer
+18%Immigration Lawyer
+14%Estate Planning Lawyer
+36%Workers Comp Lawyer
+15%Bankruptcy Lawyer
+32%💰 Salaries & Jobs in Sacramento
Annual compensation by experience level, role, and specialization
Software Developer Salary
+26%Registered Nurse Salary
+26%Teacher Salary
+25%Electrician Salary
+30%Plumber Salary
+27%Accountant Salary
+27%Physical Therapist Salary
+39%Police Officer Salary
+28%Dentist Salary
+19%Real Estate Agent Salary
+18%How Much Income Do You Need in Sacramento?
✅ Best For
- Professionals in specialized fields
- Those willing to trade cost for opportunity
- Outdoor enthusiasts
- High earners seeking career growth
⚠️ Not Ideal For
- Budget-conscious retirees
- Large families on a single income
- Entry-level workers without savings
Before moving to Sacramento, compare your target salary against local costs using our calculator. A higher gross salary doesn't always mean more spending power here.
CostOfCity Value Index
The CostOfCity Value Index combines cost-of-living data with median income, savings potential, and cost growth trends to produce a single score. Higher = better value for your money. Updated quarterly.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Sacramento
What is the median household income in Sacramento?
The median household income in Sacramento is approximately $62,000 per year. Adjusted for local cost of living (index: 122), this may stretch less than the raw number suggests.
Is Sacramento a good place to start a business?
Sacramento's business environment is shaped by CA's regulatory framework and local commercial real estate costs. Higher operating costs require stronger revenue projections, but the market also tends to support higher price points. Check our business startup cost data for specific figures.
Is Sacramento, CA expensive to live in?
Sacramento's cost of living index is 122, which is 22% above the national average of 100. This makes Sacramento one of the more expensive cities in the US.
Explore Sacramento in Depth
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Compare Sacramento Costs Nationally
See how Sacramento ranks on major household and life expenses against 300+ US cities — cheapest to most expensive.
Popular Sacramento cost & affordability searches
- → Rent prices in Sacramento, CA
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- → Monthly budget for a single adult in Sacramento
- → Healthcare cost in Sacramento
- → Grocery cost in Sacramento
- → Utility bills in Sacramento
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