Cost of Living: Sacramento, CA vs Rochester, NY (2026)

Sacramento

California
132
VS

Rochester

New York
61

Sacramento is 116% more expensive than Rochester.

$1,694/mo ↑ 63%
Median Rent
$1,039/mo ↓ 39%
$83,753/yr ↑ 80%
Median Income
$46,628/yr ↓ 44%
$484,600 ↑ 302%
Home Value
$120,600 ↓ 75%
$1,752/mo ↑ 74%
Owner Costs
$1,009/mo ↓ 42%
524,802
Population
209,720

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
10.9%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.62%

Affordability

24.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Sacramento, CA and Rochester, NY, the overall cost of living indices are 132 and 61 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $655/month cheaper in Rochester, saving renters about $7,860/year.

Median household income is $37,125/year higher in Sacramento. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Sacramento is $484,600 compared to $120,600 in Rochester.

New York has a lower income tax rate, making Rochester slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sacramento vs Rochester — common questions

Is Sacramento or Rochester cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Rochester is cheaper to live in with an index of 61 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Sacramento and Rochester?
Median rent in Sacramento is $1,694/month and in Rochester it's $1,039/month — a difference of $655/month.
Which city has higher income, Sacramento or Rochester?
Median household income is $83,753 in Sacramento and $46,628 in Rochester. Median household income is $37,125/year higher in Sacramento.
How do taxes compare between California and New York?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. New York has 10.9% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 1.62% property tax.
Should I move to Sacramento or Rochester?
It depends on your priorities. Sacramento has a cost index of 132 with median rent of $1,694/mo, while Rochester has a cost index of 61 with rent of $1,039/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Sacramento details → View Rochester details →

More Comparisons

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