Cost of Living: Sacramento, CA vs Mesquite, TX (2026)

Sacramento

California
132
VS

Mesquite

Texas
89

Sacramento is 48% more expensive than Mesquite.

$1,694/mo ↑ 20%
Median Rent
$1,407/mo ↓ 17%
$83,753/yr ↑ 17%
Median Income
$71,843/yr ↓ 14%
$484,600 ↑ 114%
Home Value
$226,500 ↓ 53%
$1,752/mo ↑ 27%
Owner Costs
$1,383/mo ↓ 21%
524,802
Population
148,848

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

24.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Sacramento, CA and Mesquite, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 132 and 89 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $287/month cheaper in Mesquite, saving renters about $3,444/year.

Median household income is $11,910/year higher in Sacramento. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Sacramento is $484,600 compared to $226,500 in Mesquite.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Mesquite residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sacramento vs Mesquite — common questions

Is Sacramento or Mesquite cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Mesquite is cheaper to live in with an index of 89 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Sacramento and Mesquite?
Median rent in Sacramento is $1,694/month and in Mesquite it's $1,407/month — a difference of $287/month.
Which city has higher income, Sacramento or Mesquite?
Median household income is $83,753 in Sacramento and $71,843 in Mesquite. Median household income is $11,910/year higher in Sacramento.
How do taxes compare between California and Texas?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Sacramento or Mesquite?
It depends on your priorities. Sacramento has a cost index of 132 with median rent of $1,694/mo, while Mesquite has a cost index of 89 with rent of $1,407/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Sacramento details → View Mesquite details →

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