Median rent is 9% lower in Sacramento ($1,779/mo vs $1,954/mo). Buying is cheaper in Sacramento, where the median home runs $506,300 versus $737,100. Households earn more in Washington ($109,870 vs $87,321 a year). Taken together, Sacramento is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 109.1 against 109.5 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Washington, DC.
City A
Sacramento, CA
City B
Washington, DC
How much would you need to earn in Washington, DC to maintain your standard of living from Sacramento, CA?
Equivalent salary in Washington, DC
$75,311
You'd need $311 more (0% higher).
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
Sacramento
California
Washington
District of Columbia
👥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 $1,954/mo in Washington (9% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Washington: the median home is $737,100 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.
Sacramento
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Washington
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Washington has cleaner air on average: 24.0 AQI (Good) compared to 52.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Washington if you prioritize higher median household income ($109,870/yr).
Pick Washington if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 24.0).
Is Sacramento cheaper than Washington?
Sacramento is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 109.1 versus 109.5 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Sacramento.
How much is rent in Sacramento vs Washington?
Median rent is $1,779/mo in Sacramento, CA and $1,954/mo in Washington, DC. Sacramento, CA has the lower rent by about 9%.
Which has higher salaries — Sacramento or Washington?
Median household income is $87,321 in Sacramento, CA and $109,870 in Washington, DC. Washington, DC 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?
Washington, DC has better air quality on average: 24.0 AQI versus 52.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Sacramento or Washington?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Washington to match my Sacramento income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Sacramento, CA is equivalent to roughly $100,414 in Washington, DC (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
