Cost of Living: New York, NY vs Sacramento, CA (2026)

New York

New York
166
VS

Sacramento

California
132

New York is 26% more expensive than Sacramento.

$1,779/mo ↑ 5%
Median Rent
$1,694/mo ↓ 5%
$79,713/yr ↓ 5%
Median Income
$83,753/yr ↑ 5%
$751,700 ↑ 55%
Home Value
$484,600 ↓ 36%
$1,837/mo ↑ 5%
Owner Costs
$1,752/mo ↓ 5%
8,516,202
Population
524,802

Tax Comparison

10.9%
Income Tax
13.3%
4.0%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
1.62%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

26.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing New York, NY and Sacramento, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 166 and 132 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $85/month cheaper in Sacramento, saving renters about $1,020/year.

Median household income is $4,040/year higher in Sacramento. Home values also differ significantly — the median in New York is $751,700 compared to $484,600 in Sacramento.

New York has a lower income tax rate, making New York slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

New York vs Sacramento — common questions

Is New York or Sacramento cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Sacramento is cheaper to live in with an index of 132 compared to 166 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between New York and Sacramento?
Median rent in New York is $1,779/month and in Sacramento it's $1,694/month — a difference of $85/month.
Which city has higher income, New York or Sacramento?
Median household income is $79,713 in New York and $83,753 in Sacramento. Median household income is $4,040/year higher in Sacramento.
How do taxes compare between New York and California?
New York has 10.9% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 1.62% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to New York or Sacramento?
It depends on your priorities. New York has a cost index of 166 with median rent of $1,779/mo, while Sacramento has a cost index of 132 with rent of $1,694/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View New York details → View Sacramento details →

More Comparisons

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