Cost of Living: San Francisco, CA vs Sacramento, CA (2026)

San Francisco

California
267
VS

Sacramento

California
132

San Francisco is 102% more expensive than Sacramento.

$2,419/mo ↑ 43%
Median Rent
$1,694/mo ↓ 30%
$141,446/yr ↑ 69%
Median Income
$83,753/yr ↓ 41%
$1,380,500 ↑ 185%
Home Value
$484,600 ↓ 65%
$2,620/mo ↑ 50%
Owner Costs
$1,752/mo ↓ 33%
836,321
Population
524,802

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
13.3%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

20.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Francisco, CA and Sacramento, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 267 and 132 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $725/month cheaper in Sacramento, saving renters about $8,700/year.

Median household income is $57,693/year higher in San Francisco. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Francisco is $1,380,500 compared to $484,600 in Sacramento.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Francisco vs Sacramento — common questions

Is San Francisco or Sacramento cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Sacramento is cheaper to live in with an index of 132 compared to 267 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Francisco and Sacramento?
Median rent in San Francisco is $2,419/month and in Sacramento it's $1,694/month — a difference of $725/month.
Which city has higher income, San Francisco or Sacramento?
Median household income is $141,446 in San Francisco and $83,753 in Sacramento. Median household income is $57,693/year higher in San Francisco.
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 San Francisco or Sacramento?
It depends on your priorities. San Francisco has a cost index of 267 with median rent of $2,419/mo, while Sacramento has a cost index of 132 with rent of $1,694/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Francisco details → View Sacramento details →

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