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Cost of Living: New York, NY vs Sacramento, CA

A data-driven comparison of housing, groceries, transportation, taxes, job market and more. See which city gives you more for your money.

18.6% Sacramento, CA is cheaper overall
27.2% 27.2% cheaper housing
10.3% 10.3% cheaper groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 27.2% cheaper
New York
195
Sacramento
142
🛒 Groceries 10.3% cheaper
New York
116
Sacramento
104
🚗 Transportation 13.8% cheaper
New York
130
Sacramento
112
🏥 Healthcare 6.1% cheaper
New York
115
Sacramento
108
⚡ Utilities 10.7% cheaper
New York
112
Sacramento
100

Detailed Breakdown

Category New York, NY Sacramento, CA Difference
Overall Cost Index14511818.6% less
Housing19514227.2% less
Median 1BR Rent$3,200$1,65048.4% less
Median Home Price$750,000$450,00040.0% less
Groceries11610410.3% less
Transportation13011213.8% less
Healthcare1151086.1% less
Utilities11210010.7% less

Tax Comparison

Tax Type New York, NY Sacramento, CA
State Income Tax10.90% (top)13.30% (top)
State Sales Tax4.00%7.25%
Avg Property Tax Rate1.40%0.71%
Estate / Inheritance TaxYesNone

What You'd Need to Earn

New York, NY
$115,000
Median household income
Sacramento, CA
$78,000
Median household income
⚠️ Heads up: Sacramento costs more but median income is lower. You may need to earn more to maintain the same standard of living.

Salary Equivalent Calculator

Find out what you'd need to earn in Sacramento to maintain your New York lifestyle.

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Based on overall cost index: New York (145) vs Sacramento (118). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
New York5.1%
Sacramento4.2%
Job Growth (YoY)
New York2.8%
Sacramento2.7%
Top Industries
New YorkFinance, Media, Tech
SacramentoGovernment, Healthcare, Agriculture

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
New York41 min
Sacramento27 min
Walk Score
New York89
Sacramento44
Air Quality (AQI)
New York48
Sacramento50
Avg Temperature
New York55°F
Sacramento61°F
Population
New York8,258,035
Sacramento524,943

Moving from New York to Sacramento?

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Planning Your Move?

Here are some helpful resources if you're considering relocating.

🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in New York and Sacramento → 🚚 Get Moving QuotesCompare prices from top movers → 📈 Check Home ValuesSee real estate trends in both cities → 💼 Search JobsFind open positions in Sacramento →

Compare Other Cities

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is New York or Sacramento cheaper to live in?+
Sacramento is the more affordable option overall. The biggest difference is in housing costs, where the gap is about 27.2%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in New York vs Sacramento?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $3,200/month in New York and $1,650/month in Sacramento — a difference of about $1,550 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, New York or Sacramento?+
New York has a state income tax of 10.90% (top) and sales tax of 4.00%. California has a state income tax of 13.30% (top) and sales tax of 7.25%. Consider all tax types together when evaluating total tax burden, as states with no income tax often compensate with higher sales or property taxes.
Can I afford to move from New York to Sacramento?+
Median household income in New York is $115,000 compared to $78,000 in Sacramento. Use the salary calculator above to see what you'd need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.
What about buying a home in New York vs Sacramento?+
The median home price in New York is $750,000 versus $450,000 in Sacramento — a difference of $300,000. Property tax rates also differ: New York averages 1.40% while California averages 0.71%.