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.
Cost of living verdict
Sacramento is 1% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 109.1 in Sacramento vs 110.4 in Boston (US national 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 metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
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: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, 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.
Metric
Boston
Sacramento
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · 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).
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.
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%.
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.
Boston, MA has better air quality on average: 31.0 AQI versus 52.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
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: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
