Median rent is 17% lower in Sacramento ($1,779/mo vs $2,147/mo). Buying is cheaper in Sacramento, where the median home runs $506,300 versus $731,700. Households earn more in Boston ($97,344 vs $87,321 a year). Taken together, Sacramento is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 109.1 against 110.4 — about 1% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Boston, MA.
Quick verdict
Sacramento is 1% cheaper overall
Cost index: 109.1 in Sacramento vs 110.4 in Boston (US average = 100)
City A
Boston, MA
City B
Sacramento, CA
How much would you need to earn in Sacramento, CA to maintain your standard of living from Boston, MA?
Equivalent salary in Sacramento, CA
$74,115
You could earn $885 less (1% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Boston
Massachusetts
Sacramento
California
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Sacramento at $1,779/mo compared to $2,147/mo in Boston (17% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Boston: the median home is $731,700 versus $506,300 in Sacramento — 31% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Boston
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Sacramento
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Boston has cleaner air on average: 31.0 AQI (Good) compared to 52.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Boston if you prioritize higher median household income ($97,344/yr).
Pick Sacramento if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,779/mo median).
Pick Boston if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 31.0).
Is Boston cheaper than Sacramento?
Sacramento is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 109.1 versus 110.4 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 1% lower in Sacramento.
How much is rent in Boston vs Sacramento?
Median rent is $2,147/mo in Boston, MA and $1,779/mo in Sacramento, CA. Sacramento, CA has the lower rent by about 17%.
Which has higher salaries — Boston or Sacramento?
Median household income is $97,344 in Boston, MA and $87,321 in Sacramento, CA. Boston, MA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Boston, MA has better air quality on average: 31.0 AQI versus 52.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Boston or Sacramento?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Sacramento to match my Boston income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Boston, MA is equivalent to roughly $98,821 in Sacramento, CA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
