Home › Compare › San Jose, CA vs Sacramento, CA

Cost of Living: San Jose, CA 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.

21.3% Sacramento, CA is cheaper overall
34.0% 34.0% cheaper housing
7.1% 7.1% cheaper groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 34.0% cheaper
San Jose
215
Sacramento
142
🛒 Groceries 7.1% cheaper
San Jose
112
Sacramento
104
🚗 Transportation 6.7% cheaper
San Jose
120
Sacramento
112
🏥 Healthcare 6.9% cheaper
San Jose
116
Sacramento
108
⚡ Utilities 9.1% cheaper
San Jose
110
Sacramento
100

Detailed Breakdown

Category San Jose, CA Sacramento, CA Difference
Overall Cost Index15011821.3% less
Housing21514234.0% less
Median 1BR Rent$2,800$1,65041.1% less
Median Home Price$1,350,000$450,00066.7% less
Groceries1121047.1% less
Transportation1201126.7% less
Healthcare1161086.9% less
Utilities1101009.1% less

Tax Comparison

Tax Type San Jose, CA Sacramento, CA
State Income Tax13.30% (top)13.30% (top)
State Sales Tax7.25%7.25%
Avg Property Tax Rate0.71%0.71%
Estate / Inheritance TaxNoneNone

What You'd Need to Earn

San Jose, CA
$140,000
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 San Jose lifestyle.

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Based on overall cost index: San Jose (150) vs Sacramento (118). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
San Jose3.5%
Sacramento4.2%
Job Growth (YoY)
San Jose3.5%
Sacramento2.7%
Top Industries
San JoseTech, Hardware, SaaS
SacramentoGovernment, Healthcare, Agriculture

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
San Jose29 min
Sacramento27 min
Walk Score
San Jose50
Sacramento44
Air Quality (AQI)
San Jose40
Sacramento50
Avg Temperature
San Jose60°F
Sacramento61°F
Population
San Jose983,489
Sacramento524,943

Moving from San Jose to Sacramento?

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Planning Your Move?

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

🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in San Jose 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 San Jose 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 34.0%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in San Jose vs Sacramento?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $2,800/month in San Jose and $1,650/month in Sacramento — a difference of about $1,150 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, San Jose or Sacramento?+
California has a state income tax of 13.30% (top) and sales tax of 7.25%. 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 San Jose to Sacramento?+
Median household income in San Jose is $140,000 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 San Jose vs Sacramento?+
The median home price in San Jose is $1,350,000 versus $450,000 in Sacramento — a difference of $900,000. Property tax rates also differ: California averages 0.71% while California averages 0.71%.