Skip to content
FiyatList Cost data

Cost of Living Data profile

Cost of Living in Sacramento: Rent, Housing & Income

  • Official data · Census ACS 2024 · BEA 2024 · EIA July–September 2026
Updated  7 sources

Cost of living vs. U.S. average (2024)

6.7% above

Cost of living in Sacramento is 6.7% above the U.S. average, based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis 2024 Regional Price Parities for the Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA metro area (index 106.7; U.S. = 100). Median rent in Sacramento is $1,846 a month.

Cost of living in Sacramento by category

Overall prices

106.7U.S. = 100

Regional price parity, all items

+6.7% vs. U.S.

Goods
105.2 +5.2%
Housing (rents)
130.2 +30.2%
Utilities
151.3 +51.3%
Other services
100.3 +0.3%

BEA 2024 · Sacramento metro area Details: Overall prices

Housing

$1,846/mo

Median gross rent

+24% vs. U.S.

1-bedroom rent
$1,617 +24% vs. U.S.
2-bedroom rent
$1,917 +29% vs. U.S.
3-bedroom rent
$2,170 +29% vs. U.S.
Median home value
$515,800 +43% vs. U.S.
Owner costs, mortgage
$2,396 +18% vs. U.S.

Census ACS 2024 Details: Housing

Utilities

$161/mo

Average electric bill

About the same as U.S.

Electricity price
33.6¢/kWh +84% vs. U.S.
Natural gas, 12-mo avg.
$21.96/Mcf +13% vs. U.S.
Utilities price index
151.3

EIA July 2026 · California statewide Details: Utilities

Transportation

25.3min

Mean travel time to work

−7% vs. U.S.

Commute mode: drove alone
66.3%
Work from home
16.2%
Gasoline (California)
$5.92/gal +36% vs. U.S.

Census ACS 2024 · EIA September 2026 Details: Transportation

Food at home

$1,388/mo

Moderate-cost plan, family of 4

Thrifty plan, family of 4
$1,024/mo
Liberal plan, family of 4
$1,679/mo
Moderate plan, single woman
$403/mo
Moderate plan, single man
$478/mo

USDA August 2026 · U.S. average Details: Food at home

Child care

$347/wk

Center care, infant

+100% vs. U.S.

Center care, toddler
$221/wk +44% vs. U.S.
Center care, preschool
$261/wk +81% vs. U.S.
Home-based care, infant
$242/wk +69% vs. U.S.

DOL NDCP 2022 prices · Sacramento County Details: Child care

Income

$91,387/yr

Median household income

+12% vs. U.S.

Median rent as share of income
24%
Home value to income
5.6×

Census ACS 2024 Details: Income

Housing costs in Sacramento

Median gross rent in Sacramento is $1,846 a month, 24% above the U.S. median of $1,487. The median falls in the $1,500–$1,999 range, which holds 29.6% of renter households paying cash rent. Another 41% pay $2,000 or more.

The median owner-occupied home is valued at $515,800, and 5.6% of homes are valued at $1,000,000 or more.

Housing costs: Sacramento vs. California vs. U.S.

Median monthly rent

Median monthly rent Sacramento: $1,846; California: $2,104; U.S.: $1,487 Sacramento $1,846 California $2,104 U.S. $1,487

Monthly owner costs

Monthly owner costs Sacramento: $2,396; California: $3,001; U.S.: $2,035 Sacramento $2,396 California $3,001 U.S. $2,035

Median home value

Median home value Sacramento: $515,800; California: $759,500; U.S.: $360,600 Sacramento $515,800 California $759,500 U.S. $360,600
Show the data table
MeasureSacramentoCaliforniaU.S.
Median monthly rent$1,846$2,104$1,487
Monthly owner costs$2,396$3,001$2,035
Median home value$515,800$759,500$360,600

Rent is median gross rent; owner costs are for homes with a mortgage. American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

What renters pay in Sacramento

What renters pay in Sacramento Share of renter households paying cash rent in Sacramento by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than $500, holds 3.3%; the top range, $3,500 or more, holds 2.7%. Median $1,846. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 10% 20% 30% Less than $500: 3.3% (U.S.: 6.1%) $500–$749: 3.3% (U.S.: 6.8%) $750–$999: 4.2% (U.S.: 11.5%) $1,000–$1,249: 8.3% (U.S.: 13.5%) $1,250–$1,499: 10.4% (U.S.: 12.9%) $1,500–$1,999: 29.6% (U.S.: 22.2%) $2,000–$2,499: 22.2% (U.S.: 13.2%) $2,500–$2,999: 11.5% (U.S.: 6.5%) $3,000–$3,499: 4.6% (U.S.: 3.2%) $3,500 or more: 2.7% (U.S.: 4.2%) $500–750 $1–1.25K $1.5–2K $2.5–3K $3.5K+ Median $1,846 (Sacramento) 29.6%
Show the data table
RangeSacramentoU.S.
Less than $5003.3%6.1%
$500–$7493.3%6.8%
$750–$9994.2%11.5%
$1,000–$1,2498.3%13.5%
$1,250–$1,49910.4%12.9%
$1,500–$1,99929.6%22.2%
$2,000–$2,49922.2%13.2%
$2,500–$2,99911.5%6.5%
$3,000–$3,4994.6%3.2%
$3,500 or more2.7%4.2%

Share of renter households paying cash rent. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B25063. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Home values in Sacramento

Home values in Sacramento Share of owner-occupied homes in Sacramento by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than $100,000, holds 4.1%; the top range, $1,500,000 or more, holds 1.9%. Median $515,800. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% Less than $100,000: 4.1% (U.S.: 10.2%) $100,000–$149,999: 1.2% (U.S.: 5.7%) $150,000–$199,999: 1.9% (U.S.: 7.5%) $200,000–$249,999: 1.1% (U.S.: 8.4%) $250,000–$299,999: 2.1% (U.S.: 8.5%) $300,000–$399,999: 14.3% (U.S.: 15.9%) $400,000–$499,999: 23.2% (U.S.: 12%) $500,000–$749,999: 35.3% (U.S.: 16.3%) $750,000–$999,999: 11.4% (U.S.: 7.5%) $1,000,000–$1,499,999: 3.7% (U.S.: 4.3%) $1,500,000 or more: 1.9% (U.S.: 3.7%) <$100K $100–150K $150–200K $250–300K $400–500K $500–750K $750K–1M $1.5M+ Median $515,800 (Sacramento) 35.3%
Show the data table
RangeSacramentoU.S.
Less than $100,0004.1%10.2%
$100,000–$149,9991.2%5.7%
$150,000–$199,9991.9%7.5%
$200,000–$249,9991.1%8.4%
$250,000–$299,9992.1%8.5%
$300,000–$399,99914.3%15.9%
$400,000–$499,99923.2%12%
$500,000–$749,99935.3%16.3%
$750,000–$999,99911.4%7.5%
$1,000,000–$1,499,9993.7%4.3%
$1,500,000 or more1.9%3.7%

Share of owner-occupied homes. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B25075. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Monthly housing costs in Sacramento

Measure Sacramento California U.S.
Median rent (all units) $1,846$2,104$1,487
1-bedroom rent $1,617$1,835$1,301
2-bedroom rent $1,917$2,179$1,490
3-bedroom rent $2,170$2,431$1,677
Owner costs with a mortgage $2,396$3,001$2,035

Median gross rent includes utilities the renter pays. Owner costs include the mortgage, taxes, insurance, and utilities. American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

How affordable is Sacramento?

At the median, rent takes about 24% of household income in Sacramento. Housing experts treat 30% as the limit before a household is considered cost-burdened. To keep the median rent at 30% of income, a household would need to earn about $73,800 a year.

The median home is worth $515,800, or 5.6 times the median household income.

Household income in Sacramento

The median household in Sacramento earns $91,387 a year, 12% above the U.S. median of $81,604. About 15.2% of households earn $200,000 or more, while 13% earn less than $25,000.

Median household income: Sacramento vs. California vs. U.S.

Median household income (yearly)

Median household income (yearly) Sacramento: $91,387; California: $100,149; U.S.: $81,604 Sacramento $91,387 California $100,149 U.S. $81,604
Show the data table
MeasureSacramentoCaliforniaU.S.
Median household income (yearly)$91,387$100,149$81,604

American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Household income distribution in Sacramento

Household income distribution in Sacramento Share of households in Sacramento by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than $10,000, holds 4.8%; the top range, $200,000 or more, holds 15.2%. Median $91,387. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% Less than $10,000: 4.8% (U.S.: 5.1%) $10,000–$14,999: 2.8% (U.S.: 3.3%) $15,000–$19,999: 2.8% (U.S.: 2.8%) $20,000–$24,999: 2.6% (U.S.: 3.2%) $25,000–$29,999: 1.8% (U.S.: 3%) $30,000–$34,999: 2.2% (U.S.: 3.3%) $35,000–$39,999: 2.8% (U.S.: 3.2%) $40,000–$44,999: 2.7% (U.S.: 3.5%) $45,000–$49,999: 3.2% (U.S.: 3.2%) $50,000–$59,999: 6% (U.S.: 6.4%) $60,000–$74,999: 9.3% (U.S.: 9.2%) $75,000–$99,999: 12.5% (U.S.: 12.6%) $100,000–$124,999: 12.3% (U.S.: 10.4%) $125,000–$149,999: 8% (U.S.: 7.4%) $150,000–$199,999: 10.7% (U.S.: 9.7%) $200,000 or more: 15.2% (U.S.: 13.7%) $10–15K $20–25K $30–35K $40–45K $50–60K $75–100K $125–150K $200K+ Median $91,387 (Sacramento) 15.2%
Show the data table
RangeSacramentoU.S.
Less than $10,0004.8%5.1%
$10,000–$14,9992.8%3.3%
$15,000–$19,9992.8%2.8%
$20,000–$24,9992.6%3.2%
$25,000–$29,9991.8%3%
$30,000–$34,9992.2%3.3%
$35,000–$39,9992.8%3.2%
$40,000–$44,9992.7%3.5%
$45,000–$49,9993.2%3.2%
$50,000–$59,9996%6.4%
$60,000–$74,9999.3%9.2%
$75,000–$99,99912.5%12.6%
$100,000–$124,99912.3%10.4%
$125,000–$149,9998%7.4%
$150,000–$199,99910.7%9.7%
$200,000 or more15.2%13.7%

Share of households. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B19001. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Income and home values

Measure Sacramento California U.S.
Median household income (yearly) $91,387$100,149$81,604
Median home value $515,800$759,500$360,600

American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Price levels compared with the U.S.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis publishes Regional Price Parities: price levels for the same basket of goods and services, with the U.S. average set to 100. In 2024, the Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA metro area scored 106.7 for all items. The highest category is utilities at 151.3; the lowest is other services at 100.3.

Regional price parities by category (U.S. = 100)

All items

All items Sacramento metro area: 106.7; California: 110.7; U.S.: 100.0 Sacramento metro area 106.7 California 110.7 U.S. 100.0

Goods

Goods Sacramento metro area: 105.2; California: 106.1; U.S.: 99.6 Sacramento metro area 105.2 California 106.1 U.S. 99.6

Housing (rents)

Housing (rents) Sacramento metro area: 130.2; California: 154.3; U.S.: 100.6 Sacramento metro area 130.2 California 154.3 U.S. 100.6

Utilities

Utilities Sacramento metro area: 151.3; California: 158.9; U.S.: 98.4 Sacramento metro area 151.3 California 158.9 U.S. 98.4

Other services

Other services Sacramento metro area: 100.3; California: 102.6; U.S.: 100.1 Sacramento metro area 100.3 California 102.6 U.S. 100.1
Show the data table
MeasureSacramento metro areaCaliforniaU.S.
All items106.7110.7100.0
Goods105.2106.199.6
Housing (rents)130.2154.3100.6
Utilities151.3158.998.4
Other services100.3102.6100.1

Index, U.S. = 100. Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities, 2024. Metro area: Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA. Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities

Utilities and energy costs

Households in California paid an average of 33.6¢ per kWh for electricity in July 2026, compared with 18.3¢ nationally. Over the past 12 months the average residential bill was $161 a month (U.S.: $157). Residential natural gas averaged $21.96 per thousand cubic feet over the 12 months to July 2026 (U.S.: $19.40).

Energy prices are reported statewide, so these are California averages rather than figures for Sacramento alone.

Energy prices: California vs. U.S.

Electricity price (¢/kWh)

Electricity price (¢/kWh) California: 33.6¢; U.S.: 18.3¢ California 33.6¢ U.S. 18.3¢

Average electric bill (monthly)

Average electric bill (monthly) California: $161; U.S.: $157 California $161 U.S. $157

Natural gas, 12-mo avg. ($/Mcf)

Natural gas, 12-mo avg. ($/Mcf) California: $21.96; U.S.: $19.40 California $21.96 U.S. $19.40
Show the data table
MeasureCaliforniaU.S.
Electricity price (¢/kWh)33.6¢18.3¢
Average electric bill (monthly)$161$157
Natural gas, 12-mo avg. ($/Mcf)$21.96$19.40

Residential customers. Electricity price for July 2026; electric bill and natural gas are 12-month averages. U.S. Energy Information Administration. Sources: EIA Electric Power Monthly: residential retail sales; EIA Natural Gas Monthly: price delivered to residential consumers

Transportation and commuting

Workers in Sacramento who commute spend an average of 25.3 minutes getting to work (U.S.: 27.2 minutes). The most common way to get to work is to drive alone (66.3% of workers); 16.2% work from home. Regular gasoline averaged $5.92 a gallon in California in September 2026, compared with $4.36 nationally.

How workers get to work

How workers get to work Sacramento: Drove alone 66.3%, Carpooled 10.2%, Public transit 2.2%, Walked 2.2%, Bicycle 1.3%, Worked from home 16.2%, Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.) 1.6%. California: Drove alone 67.3%, Carpooled 10.2%, Public transit 3.3%, Walked 2.5%, Bicycle 0.8%, Worked from home 14.1%, Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.) 1.9%. U.S.: Drove alone 69.2%, Carpooled 9.2%, Public transit 3.7%, Walked 2.4%, Bicycle 0.5%, Worked from home 13.3%, Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.) 1.7%. Most common in Sacramento: Drove alone. Sacramento Sacramento · Drove alone: 66.3% 66.3% Sacramento · Carpooled: 10.2% Sacramento · Public transit: 2.2% Sacramento · Walked: 2.2% Sacramento · Bicycle: 1.3% Sacramento · Worked from home: 16.2% 16.2% Sacramento · Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.): 1.6% California California · Drove alone: 67.3% 67.3% California · Carpooled: 10.2% California · Public transit: 3.3% California · Walked: 2.5% California · Bicycle: 0.8% California · Worked from home: 14.1% 14.1% California · Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.): 1.9% U.S. U.S. · Drove alone: 69.2% 69.2% U.S. · Carpooled: 9.2% U.S. · Public transit: 3.7% U.S. · Walked: 2.4% U.S. · Bicycle: 0.5% U.S. · Worked from home: 13.3% 13.3% U.S. · Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.): 1.7%
Show the data table
Means of transportationSacramentoCaliforniaU.S.
Drove alone66.3%67.3%69.2%
Carpooled10.2%10.2%9.2%
Public transit2.2%3.3%3.7%
Walked2.2%2.5%2.4%
Bicycle1.3%0.8%0.5%
Worked from home16.2%14.1%13.3%
Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.)1.6%1.9%1.7%

Share of workers 16 and over. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B08301. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Travel time to work in Sacramento

Travel time to work in Sacramento Share of workers who do not work from home in Sacramento by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than 5 min, holds 1.7%; the top range, 90 min or more, holds 3.1%. Mean 25.3 min. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% Less than 5 min: 1.7% (U.S.: 2.8%) 5–9 min: 7.8% (U.S.: 9.4%) 10–14 min: 14.1% (U.S.: 13.1%) 15–19 min: 18.3% (U.S.: 15%) 20–24 min: 17.5% (U.S.: 14.1%) 25–29 min: 7.5% (U.S.: 7%) 30–34 min: 15.8% (U.S.: 13.7%) 35–39 min: 2% (U.S.: 3.4%) 40–44 min: 3.8% (U.S.: 4.1%) 45–59 min: 4.8% (U.S.: 8.3%) 60–89 min: 3.7% (U.S.: 6.3%) 90 min or more: 3.1% (U.S.: 3%) <5 5–9 10–14 15–19 20–24 25–29 30–34 35–39 40–44 45–59 60–89 90+ Mean 25.3 min (Sacramento) 18.3%
Show the data table
RangeSacramentoU.S.
Less than 5 min1.7%2.8%
5–9 min7.8%9.4%
10–14 min14.1%13.1%
15–19 min18.3%15%
20–24 min17.5%14.1%
25–29 min7.5%7%
30–34 min15.8%13.7%
35–39 min2%3.4%
40–44 min3.8%4.1%
45–59 min4.8%8.3%
60–89 min3.7%6.3%
90 min or more3.1%3%

Share of workers who do not work from home. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B08303. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Child care costs in Sacramento

In 2022, full-time center-based care for an infant had a median price of $347 a week in Sacramento County, or $18,040 over 52 weeks. That is 100% above the U.S. county median of $174. Prices are for 2022 and are not adjusted for inflation.

Weekly child care prices (2022)

Type of care Sacramento County California (county median) U.S. (county median)
Center-based care, infant $347$353$174
Center-based care, toddler $221$217$153
Center-based care, preschool $261$190$144
Center-based care, school-age $217$110$120
Home-based family care, infant $242$246$143
Home-based family care, toddler $200$219$132
Home-based family care, preschool $205$207$131
Home-based family care, school-age $208$199$118

Median weekly price for full-time care. State and U.S. figures are medians of county medians. Prices are for 2022 and are not adjusted for inflation. U.S. Department of Labor, National Database of Childcare Prices. Source: National Database of Childcare Prices (U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau)

Food costs

USDA's moderate-cost food plan puts groceries for a family of four at $1,388 a month in August 2026; the thrifty plan comes to $1,024. USDA publishes these as national averages, not city figures, so they show a typical grocery budget rather than Sacramento prices.

Monthly cost of food at home (August 2026)

USDA food plan U.S. family of 4 U.S. couple U.S. single man U.S. single woman
Thrifty $1,024$630$383$304
Low-cost $1,126$652$381$331
Moderate-cost $1,388$808$478$403
Liberal $1,679$1,007$583$515

Family of 4: two adults and two children aged 6–8 and 9–11. For a single man, the Thrifty plan costs more than the Low-cost plan: USDA re-evaluated the Thrifty plan in 2021, while the other plans still use older market baskets. USDA Food and Nutrition Service, Official Food Plans, August 2026. Source: USDA Food Plans: Cost of Food at Home (monthly reports)

Frequently asked questions

What is the average rent in Sacramento?

Median rent is $1,617 for a one-bedroom and $1,917 for a two-bedroom unit, including utilities the renter pays.

How much do most renters pay in Sacramento?

Among renter households paying cash rent, 10.8% pay less than $1,000 a month, 48.3% pay $1,000 to $1,999, and 41% pay $2,000 or more (Census ACS 2024).

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

To keep the median rent of $1,846 at no more than 30% of income, a household needs about $73,800 a year before taxes. This covers housing only.

Is Sacramento more expensive than the U.S. average?

Yes. The Bureau of Economic Analysis puts overall prices in the Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA metro area at 106.7 for 2024 (U.S. = 100), 6.7% above average. Housing rents score 130.2.

How long is the average commute in Sacramento?

25.3 minutes one way for workers who commute, compared with 27.2 minutes nationally (Census ACS 2024).

How much does infant day care cost in Sacramento?

The median price for full-time center-based infant care was $347 a week in Sacramento County in 2022, according to the Department of Labor's National Database of Childcare Prices.