Cost of Living: Sacramento, CA vs Vancouver, WA (2026)

Sacramento

California
132
VS

Vancouver

Washington
123

Sacramento is 7% more expensive than Vancouver.

$1,694/mo ↑ 4%
Median Rent
$1,632/mo ↓ 4%
$83,753/yr ↑ 7%
Median Income
$78,156/yr ↓ 7%
$484,600 ↑ 10%
Home Value
$440,300 ↓ 9%
$1,752/mo ↑ 9%
Owner Costs
$1,607/mo ↓ 8%
524,802
Population
192,696

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.5%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.92%

Affordability

24.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Sacramento, CA and Vancouver, WA, the overall cost of living indices are 132 and 123 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $62/month cheaper in Vancouver, saving renters about $744/year.

Median household income is $5,597/year higher in Sacramento. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Sacramento is $484,600 compared to $440,300 in Vancouver.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Sacramento vs Vancouver — common questions

Is Sacramento or Vancouver cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Vancouver is cheaper to live in with an index of 123 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Sacramento and Vancouver?
Median rent in Sacramento is $1,694/month and in Vancouver it's $1,632/month — a difference of $62/month.
Which city has higher income, Sacramento or Vancouver?
Median household income is $83,753 in Sacramento and $78,156 in Vancouver. Median household income is $5,597/year higher in Sacramento.
How do taxes compare between California and Washington?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Washington has 0% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax.
Should I move to Sacramento or Vancouver?
It depends on your priorities. Sacramento has a cost index of 132 with median rent of $1,694/mo, while Vancouver has a cost index of 123 with rent of $1,632/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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