Cost of Living: Sacramento, CA vs Irvine, CA (2026)

Sacramento

California
132
VS

Irvine

California
256

Sacramento is 48% cheaper than Irvine.

$1,694/mo ↓ 41%
Median Rent
$2,893/mo ↑ 71%
$83,753/yr ↓ 35%
Median Income
$129,647/yr ↑ 55%
$484,600 ↓ 57%
Home Value
$1,115,400 ↑ 130%
$1,752/mo ↓ 40%
Owner Costs
$2,904/mo ↑ 66%
524,802
Population
308,160

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
13.3%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

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

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Sacramento, CA and Irvine, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 132 and 256 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,199/month cheaper in Sacramento, saving renters about $14,388/year.

Median household income is $45,894/year higher in Irvine. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Sacramento is $484,600 compared to $1,115,400 in Irvine.

Both cities share the same state tax structure since they are in California.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sacramento vs Irvine — common questions

Is Sacramento or Irvine cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Sacramento is cheaper to live in with an index of 132 compared to 256 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Sacramento and Irvine?
Median rent in Sacramento is $1,694/month and in Irvine it's $2,893/month — a difference of $1,199/month.
Which city has higher income, Sacramento or Irvine?
Median household income is $83,753 in Sacramento and $129,647 in Irvine. Median household income is $45,894/year higher in Irvine.
How do taxes compare between California and California?
Both cities are in California and share the same state tax rates: 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Sacramento or Irvine?
It depends on your priorities. Sacramento has a cost index of 132 with median rent of $1,694/mo, while Irvine has a cost index of 256 with rent of $2,893/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Sacramento details → View Irvine details →

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