Is Sacramento expensive to live in?

Sacramento is on the pricier side of the 50 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $1,418 per month ranks #15 of 50 and is 16% higher than the $1,223 median.

What is the average rent in Sacramento?

Average rent in Sacramento, CA runs a studio around $1,259, a one-bedroom around $1,418, a two-bedroom around $1,742, a three-bedroom around $1,973 per month (US Census ACS).

How much do you need to earn to live in Sacramento?

To keep a one-bedroom rent of $1,418 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year. The median household income here is $83,753.

How much does it cost to live in Sacramento per month?

A rough monthly baseline for one person in Sacramento is about $1,740 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

City skyline with modern buildings at sunset — Sacramento, CA

Cost of Living in Sacramento, CA

Population 524,943 · California

~$1,740/mo est.1BR $1,418Home $484,600

Photo: Leo_Visions / Unsplash

Compare with:

The cost of living in Sacramento, CA is driven mostly by housing. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $1,418 a month — 16% higher than the $1,223 median across the 50 large US cities we track. Studios average $1,259 and two-bedrooms $1,742.

Median household income here is $83,753, 10% higher than the $75,900 median of the cities we track. Adding typical electricity and heating to one-bedroom rent, a rough monthly baseline for one person is about $1,740 before food and transport. California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax.

Rent1BR $1,418

Studio

$1,259

1 Bedroom

$1,418

2 Bedroom

$1,742

3 Bedroom

$1,973

Buying a Home$484,600

Median Home Value

$484,600

Income$83,753

Median Household Income

$83,753

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$59,750

Household income: Census ACS, city. Metro median wage: BLS OEWS, all occupations, 2025 (metro area).

GroceriesWest

Milk (gal)

$4.37

Bread (lb)

$2.10

Eggs (doz)

$2.25

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.23

Chicken (lb)

$2.14

Bananas (lb)

$0.74

Average prices, West (BLS, 2026-04-01). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

Utilities33.4¢/kWh

Electricity

33.4¢/kWh

Natural Gas

$20.72/MCF

Residential, state-level averages (EIA, 2026-03-01). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Gas$5.91/gal

Regular Gasoline (California)

$5.91/gal

EIA weekly retail average, week of 2026-05-25.

Public Transit$2.50

Base Fare (SacRT)

$2.50

Adult base one-way fare on the primary agency (2026).

State Taxes (CA)7.25% sales

State Sales Tax

7.25%

State Income Tax (top rate)

Up to 13.30%

State-level rates. Local sales taxes may add more. Income tax shown is the top marginal rate; most filers pay less.

Crime757.2 violent

Violent Crime (per 100k/yr)

757.2

Property Crime (per 100k/yr)

2,615.3

FBI Crime Data Explorer, Sacramento Police Department (2024). Offenses per 100,000 residents per year. Agency reporting practices vary, so cross-city comparisons are approximate.

People & LifestyleAge 35.7 yrs

Median Age

35.7 yrs

Homeownership

51.5%

Bachelor's+ (25+)

36.4%

Avg Commute

25.6 min

Climate61.0°F

Avg Annual Temperature

61.0°F

Annual Precipitation

18.5 in

Sacramento cost of living — FAQ

Is Sacramento expensive to live in?: Sacramento is on the pricier side of the 50 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $1,418 per month ranks #15 of 50 and is 16% higher than the $1,223 median.
What is the average rent in Sacramento?: Average rent in Sacramento, CA runs a studio around $1,259, a one-bedroom around $1,418, a two-bedroom around $1,742, a three-bedroom around $1,973 per month (US Census ACS).
How much do you need to earn to live in Sacramento?: To keep a one-bedroom rent of $1,418 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year. The median household income here is $83,753.
How much does it cost to live in Sacramento per month?: A rough monthly baseline for one person in Sacramento is about $1,740 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Compare Sacramento with nearby cities

Sacramento vs San Francisco Sacramento vs Fresno Sacramento vs Bakersfield Sacramento vs Los Angeles Sacramento vs Long Beach Sacramento vs Anaheim

Nearby cities

San Francisco, CA 75 mi Fresno, CA 158 mi Bakersfield, CA 260 mi Los Angeles, CA 361 mi Long Beach, CA 380 mi Anaheim, CA 384 mi

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981-2010 (climate); EIA (gas, utilities); BLS Average Price Data (groceries) & OEWS (metro wage); transit agencies (fares); FBI Crime Data Explorer (crime); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes). Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + utilities; not a full cost of living.