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

San Jose

California
254
VS

Sacramento

California
132

San Jose is 92% more expensive than Sacramento.

$2,617/mo ↑ 54%
Median Rent
$1,694/mo ↓ 35%
$141,565/yr ↑ 69%
Median Income
$83,753/yr ↓ 41%
$1,187,800 ↑ 145%
Home Value
$484,600 ↓ 59%
$2,775/mo ↑ 58%
Owner Costs
$1,752/mo ↓ 37%
990,054
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

22.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Jose, CA and Sacramento, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 254 and 132 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $923/month cheaper in Sacramento, saving renters about $11,076/year.

Median household income is $57,812/year higher in San Jose. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Jose is $1,187,800 compared to $484,600 in Sacramento.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Jose vs Sacramento — common questions

Is San Jose or Sacramento cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Sacramento is cheaper to live in with an index of 132 compared to 254 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Jose and Sacramento?
Median rent in San Jose is $2,617/month and in Sacramento it's $1,694/month — a difference of $923/month.
Which city has higher income, San Jose or Sacramento?
Median household income is $141,565 in San Jose and $83,753 in Sacramento. Median household income is $57,812/year higher in San Jose.
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 Jose or Sacramento?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has a cost index of 254 with median rent of $2,617/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 Jose details → View Sacramento details →

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