Cost of Living: Sacramento, CA vs Arvada, CO (2026)

Sacramento

California
132
VS

Arvada

Colorado
152

Sacramento is 13% cheaper than Arvada.

$1,694/mo ↓ 6%
Median Rent
$1,802/mo ↑ 6%
$83,753/yr ↓ 26%
Median Income
$113,396/yr ↑ 35%
$484,600 ↓ 19%
Home Value
$600,800 ↑ 24%
$1,752/mo ↓ 10%
Owner Costs
$1,948/mo ↑ 11%
524,802
Population
122,835

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
4.4%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
2.9%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.51%

Affordability

24.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Sacramento, CA and Arvada, CO, the overall cost of living indices are 132 and 152 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $108/month cheaper in Sacramento, saving renters about $1,296/year.

Median household income is $29,643/year higher in Arvada. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Sacramento is $484,600 compared to $600,800 in Arvada.

Colorado has a lower income tax rate, making Arvada slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sacramento vs Arvada — common questions

Is Sacramento or Arvada cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Sacramento is cheaper to live in with an index of 132 compared to 152 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Sacramento and Arvada?
Median rent in Sacramento is $1,694/month and in Arvada it's $1,802/month — a difference of $108/month.
Which city has higher income, Sacramento or Arvada?
Median household income is $83,753 in Sacramento and $113,396 in Arvada. Median household income is $29,643/year higher in Arvada.
How do taxes compare between California and Colorado?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Colorado has 4.4% income tax, 2.9% sales tax, and 0.51% property tax.
Should I move to Sacramento or Arvada?
It depends on your priorities. Sacramento has a cost index of 132 with median rent of $1,694/mo, while Arvada has a cost index of 152 with rent of $1,802/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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