Cost of Living: Sacramento, CA vs Salt Lake City, UT (2026)

Sacramento

California
132
VS

Salt Lake City

Utah
117

Sacramento is 13% more expensive than Salt Lake City.

$1,694/mo ↑ 26%
Median Rent
$1,343/mo ↓ 21%
$83,753/yr ↑ 12%
Median Income
$74,925/yr ↓ 11%
$484,600 ↓ 2%
Home Value
$495,700 ↑ 2%
$1,752/mo ↑ 26%
Owner Costs
$1,394/mo ↓ 20%
524,802
Population
203,888

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
4.65%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.1%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.58%

Affordability

24.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Sacramento, CA and Salt Lake City, UT, the overall cost of living indices are 132 and 117 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $351/month cheaper in Salt Lake City, saving renters about $4,212/year.

Median household income is $8,828/year higher in Sacramento. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Sacramento is $484,600 compared to $495,700 in Salt Lake City.

Utah has a lower income tax rate, making Salt Lake City slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sacramento vs Salt Lake City — common questions

Is Sacramento or Salt Lake City cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Salt Lake City is cheaper to live in with an index of 117 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Sacramento and Salt Lake City?
Median rent in Sacramento is $1,694/month and in Salt Lake City it's $1,343/month — a difference of $351/month.
Which city has higher income, Sacramento or Salt Lake City?
Median household income is $83,753 in Sacramento and $74,925 in Salt Lake City. Median household income is $8,828/year higher in Sacramento.
How do taxes compare between California and Utah?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Utah has 4.65% income tax, 6.1% sales tax, and 0.58% property tax.
Should I move to Sacramento or Salt Lake City?
It depends on your priorities. Sacramento has a cost index of 132 with median rent of $1,694/mo, while Salt Lake City has a cost index of 117 with rent of $1,343/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Sacramento details → View Salt Lake City details →

More Comparisons

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