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

Sacramento

California
132
VS

Riverside

California
144

Sacramento is 8% cheaper than Riverside.

$1,694/mo ↓ 7%
Median Rent
$1,812/mo ↑ 7%
$83,753/yr ↓ 5%
Median Income
$88,575/yr ↑ 6%
$484,600 ↓ 11%
Home Value
$542,100 ↑ 12%
$1,752/mo ↓ 7%
Owner Costs
$1,880/mo ↑ 7%
524,802
Population
316,241

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
24.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Sacramento, CA and Riverside, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 132 and 144 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $118/month cheaper in Sacramento, saving renters about $1,416/year.

Median household income is $4,822/year higher in Riverside. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Sacramento is $484,600 compared to $542,100 in Riverside.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Sacramento vs Riverside — common questions

Is Sacramento or Riverside cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Sacramento is cheaper to live in with an index of 132 compared to 144 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Sacramento and Riverside?
Median rent in Sacramento is $1,694/month and in Riverside it's $1,812/month — a difference of $118/month.
Which city has higher income, Sacramento or Riverside?
Median household income is $83,753 in Sacramento and $88,575 in Riverside. Median household income is $4,822/year higher in Riverside.
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 Riverside?
It depends on your priorities. Sacramento has a cost index of 132 with median rent of $1,694/mo, while Riverside has a cost index of 144 with rent of $1,812/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Sacramento details → View Riverside details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Sacramento and Riverside

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