Median rent is 24% lower in Sacramento ($1,779/mo vs $2,352/mo). Buying is cheaper in Sacramento, where the median home runs $506,300 versus $755,200. Households earn more in Folsom ($139,804 vs $87,321 a year). Overall, the two cities have a nearly identical cost of living index (109.1).
City A
Folsom, CA
City B
Sacramento, CA
How much would you need to earn in Sacramento, CA to maintain your standard of living from Folsom, CA?
Equivalent salary in Sacramento, CA
$75,000
Costs are about the same in both cities.
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
Folsom
California
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
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Sacramento — median rent of $1,779/mo versus $2,352/mo in Folsom, a 24% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Folsom: the median home is $755,200 versus $506,300 in Sacramento — 33% more expensive.
Metric
Folsom
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.
Folsom
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Sacramento
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Sacramento (avg AQI 52.0) but not yet for Folsom.
Pick Folsom if you prioritize higher median household income ($139,804/yr).
Pick Sacramento if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,779/mo median).
Folsom is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 109.1 versus 109.1 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Folsom.
Median rent is $2,352/mo in Folsom, CA and $1,779/mo in Sacramento, CA. Sacramento, CA has the lower rent by about 24%.
Median household income is $139,804 in Folsom, CA and $87,321 in Sacramento, CA. Folsom, CA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Folsom, CA is equivalent to roughly $100,000 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
