Median rent is 2% lower in Sacramento ($1,779/mo vs $1,821/mo). Buying is cheaper in Sacramento, where the median home runs $506,300 versus $777,600. Households earn more in Sacramento ($87,321 vs $80,483 a year). Taken together, Sacramento is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 109.1 against 112.6 — about 3% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Sacramento, CA.
Cost of living verdict
Sacramento is 3% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 109.1 in Sacramento vs 112.6 in New York (US national average = 100)
City A
New York, NY
City B
Sacramento, CA
How much would you need to earn in Sacramento, CA to maintain your standard of living from New York, NY?
Equivalent salary in Sacramento, CA
$72,634
You could earn $2,366 less (3% 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
New York
New York
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 rents are similar in both cities: $1,821/mo in New York and $1,779/mo in Sacramento. Home buyers face a steeper market in New York: the median home is $777,600 versus $506,300 in Sacramento — 35% more expensive.
Metric
New York
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.
New York
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Sacramento
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
New York has cleaner air on average: 46.0 AQI (Good) compared to 52.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Sacramento if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 109.1 vs 112.6).
Pick Sacramento if you prioritize higher median household income ($87,321/yr).
Pick New York if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 46.0).
Sacramento is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 109.1 versus 112.6 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 3% lower in Sacramento.
Median rent is $1,821/mo in New York, NY and $1,779/mo in Sacramento, CA. Sacramento, CA has the lower rent by about 2%.
Median household income is $80,483 in New York, NY and $87,321 in Sacramento, CA. Sacramento, CA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
New York, NY has better air quality on average: 46.0 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 New York, NY is equivalent to roughly $96,845 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
