Cost of Living: Sacramento, CA vs Tampa, FL (2026)

Sacramento

California
132
VS

Tampa

Florida
113

Sacramento is 17% more expensive than Tampa.

$1,694/mo ↑ 8%
Median Rent
$1,567/mo ↓ 7%
$83,753/yr ↑ 17%
Median Income
$71,302/yr ↓ 15%
$484,600 ↑ 29%
Home Value
$375,300 ↓ 23%
$1,752/mo ↑ 13%
Owner Costs
$1,553/mo ↓ 11%
524,802
Population
393,389

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

24.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Sacramento, CA and Tampa, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 132 and 113 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $127/month cheaper in Tampa, saving renters about $1,524/year.

Median household income is $12,451/year higher in Sacramento. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Sacramento is $484,600 compared to $375,300 in Tampa.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Sacramento vs Tampa — common questions

Is Sacramento or Tampa cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Tampa is cheaper to live in with an index of 113 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Sacramento and Tampa?
Median rent in Sacramento is $1,694/month and in Tampa it's $1,567/month — a difference of $127/month.
Which city has higher income, Sacramento or Tampa?
Median household income is $83,753 in Sacramento and $71,302 in Tampa. Median household income is $12,451/year higher in Sacramento.
How do taxes compare between California and Florida?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Sacramento or Tampa?
It depends on your priorities. Sacramento has a cost index of 132 with median rent of $1,694/mo, while Tampa has a cost index of 113 with rent of $1,567/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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More Comparisons

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