Cost of Living: Sacramento, CA vs Athens, GA (2026)

Sacramento

California
132
VS

Athens

Georgia
83

Sacramento is 59% more expensive than Athens.

$1,694/mo ↑ 46%
Median Rent
$1,162/mo ↓ 31%
$83,753/yr ↑ 62%
Median Income
$51,655/yr ↓ 38%
$484,600 ↑ 78%
Home Value
$271,800 ↓ 44%
$1,752/mo ↑ 51%
Owner Costs
$1,163/mo ↓ 34%
524,802
Population
126,987

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
5.49%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.92%

Affordability

24.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
27.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Sacramento, CA and Athens, GA, the overall cost of living indices are 132 and 83 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $532/month cheaper in Athens, saving renters about $6,384/year.

Median household income is $32,098/year higher in Sacramento. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Sacramento is $484,600 compared to $271,800 in Athens.

Georgia has a lower income tax rate, making Athens slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sacramento vs Athens — common questions

Is Sacramento or Athens cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Athens is cheaper to live in with an index of 83 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Sacramento and Athens?
Median rent in Sacramento is $1,694/month and in Athens it's $1,162/month — a difference of $532/month.
Which city has higher income, Sacramento or Athens?
Median household income is $83,753 in Sacramento and $51,655 in Athens. Median household income is $32,098/year higher in Sacramento.
How do taxes compare between California and Georgia?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Georgia has 5.49% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax.
Should I move to Sacramento or Athens?
It depends on your priorities. Sacramento has a cost index of 132 with median rent of $1,694/mo, while Athens has a cost index of 83 with rent of $1,162/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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