Sacramento, California has an overall cost of living index of 109.1, which is 9.1 points above the US average of 100 — making it pricier than most American cities. Renters pay a median of $1,779 per month, while the typical home is valued around $506,300. Households earn a median of $87,321 per year, leaving rent at a manageable share of income for many residents. Air quality is moderate, with an average AQI of 52. Below: housing costs, local wages by occupation, neighborhoods, climate, jobs and major industries, and healthcare access — all drawn from US Census, BEA, BLS, HUD, EPA, and NOAA data.
Median Household Income
$87,321
Annual · Census ACS
Median Gross Rent
$1,779
Per month · Census ACS
Median Home Value
$506,300
Census ACS
Cost of Living Index
109.1
BEA RPP · US avg = 100
Studio FMR
$1,748
HUD Fair Market Rent
1BR Fair Market Rent
$1,832
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
$2,255
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
$3,002
HUD FMR
HUD Fair Market Rent = 40th percentile gross rent · FY2024
Each category is indexed to the US average of 100. Below 100 = cheaper than average.
Overall
109.1
Goods
104.9
Rents / Housing
133.4
Services
138.3
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (metro-level)
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| 💻Software Developer | $149,340 |
| 🏥Registered Nurse | $163,020 |
| 📚Elementary Teacher | $87,840 |
| ⚡Electrician | $81,750 |
| 📊Accountant | $94,200 |
| 🔧Plumber | $74,420 |
| ⚕️Nurse Practitioner | $343,300 |
| 🏗️Civil Engineer | $128,770 |
| 👔Operations Manager | $140,620 |
| 📈Market Research Analyst | $89,290 |
| 🏢Health Services Manager | $159,880 |
| 🚛Truck Driver | $60,880 |
| 👨⚕️Physician Assistant | N/A |
| 🩺Surgeon | N/A |
| 🧮Data Scientist | N/A |
| 🖥️Computer Engineer | N/A |
Source: BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
Population
528,706
Latest estimate
Median Age
36 yrs
Census ACS
Average AQI
52.0
Source: EPA AirNow
Total Neighborhoods
5
Tracked in our database
Avg Walk Score
57
0–100 scale
Avg Median Rent
$1,605
Per month
Avg Home Value
$630,700
Census ACS
January Avg
48°F
July Avg
76°F
Sunny Days / Year
—
Annual Snowfall
—
Climate category: Dry/Arid · Source: NOAA/NCEI 30-year normals.
Healthcare Score
31.7
poor
Hospitals
10
Doctors per 1,000
1.00
Insurance Coverage
94.6%
What is the cost of living index for Sacramento?
Sacramento has a Regional Price Parity (RPP) index of 109.1. The US national average is 100, so Sacramento is 9.1 points above the national average.
What is the median rent in Sacramento?
The median gross rent in Sacramento is $1,779 per month according to US Census ACS data.
What is the median household income in Sacramento?
The median household income in Sacramento is $87,321 per year.
What is the median home value in Sacramento?
The median home value in Sacramento is $506,300 based on the latest Census ACS survey.
How is the air quality in Sacramento?
Sacramento has an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 52.0, which is rated "Moderate" by the EPA. Lower AQI values indicate cleaner air.
What are the taxes like in Sacramento?
Tax data for California is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
