Median rent is 10% lower in Sacramento ($1,779/mo vs $1,979/mo). Buying is cheaper in Sacramento, where the median home runs $506,300 versus $929,900. Households earn more in Oakland ($101,600 vs $87,321 a year). Taken together, Sacramento is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 109.1 against 117.6 — about 7% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Oakland, CA.
Cost of living verdict
Sacramento is 7% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 109.1 in Sacramento vs 117.6 in Oakland (US national average = 100)
City A
Oakland, CA
City B
Sacramento, CA
How much would you need to earn in Sacramento, CA to maintain your standard of living from Oakland, CA?
Equivalent salary in Sacramento, CA
$69,602
You could earn $5,398 less (7% 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
Oakland
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
Median rent is modestly lower in Sacramento at $1,779/mo compared to $1,979/mo in Oakland (10% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Oakland: the median home is $929,900 versus $506,300 in Sacramento — 46% 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.
Oakland
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Sacramento
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Sacramento has cleaner air on average: 52.0 AQI (Moderate) compared to 60.0 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 117.6).
Pick Oakland if you prioritize higher median household income ($101,600/yr).
Pick Sacramento if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 52.0).
Is Oakland cheaper than Sacramento?
Sacramento is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 109.1 versus 117.6 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 7% lower in Sacramento.
How much is rent in Oakland vs Sacramento?
Median rent is $1,979/mo in Oakland, CA and $1,779/mo in Sacramento, CA. Sacramento, CA has the lower rent by about 10%.
Which has higher salaries — Oakland or Sacramento?
Median household income is $101,600 in Oakland, CA and $87,321 in Sacramento, CA. Oakland, CA 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?
Sacramento, CA has better air quality on average: 52.0 AQI versus 60.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Oakland or Sacramento?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Sacramento to match my Oakland income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Oakland, CA is equivalent to roughly $92,803 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
