Cost of Living in Sacramento, CA [2024]

California's state capital, Sacramento, is one of the best (and most underrated) places to live in the country. In addition to a considerably lower cost of living compared to other popular cities in the state, Sacramento also offers its residents an abundance of breweries and wineries and a booming economy, all in a laid-back atmosphere.

Located in proximity to the Bay Area, a well-known tech hub, many people migrate to Sacramento to take advantage of more affordable housing and high quality of life. In addition, moving here means you get to enjoy the unbeatable California weather year-round while also enjoying friendly neighbors surrounded by picturesque mountains.

Whether you’re moving to Sacramento to take advantage of the cost of living, the promising job market, or a combination of both, you’ll want to get a good idea of what your costs will look like. So let’s look at the cost of living in Sacramento to understand better how much you need to live there.

Cost of Living in Sacramento, CA

What Is the Cost of Living in Sacramento, CA?

The cost of living in Sacramento is currently 19% higher than the rest of the country, though it's 44% lower than San Francisco, if you're looking for a more affordable location inside of California.

What does overall cost of living really mean for renters, though? Let’s break down how much it costs to live in Sacramento by looking at different expenses.

How Much Is Rent in Sacramento?

While the cost of living in Sacramento is higher than most of the country, it's a bit lower than California. Let’s look at rental costs by bedroom so we can get a better idea of how much you might need to spend on housing.

How Much Is a 1-Bedroom Apartment in Sacramento?

As of April 2024, the median rate for a one-bedroom in Sacramento is $1,349 a month. By contrast, a one-bedroom in San Francisco would cost closer to $2,685.

How Much Is a 2-Bedroom Apartment in Sacramento?

As of April 2024, the median rate for a two-bedroom in Sacramento is $1,704 a month, whereas in San Francisco, that same apartment size would cost you closer to $3,182 a month.

What Salary Do You Need to Live in Sacramento, CA?

There are a few different ways to estimate what salary you need to live in a city like Sacramento. One way involves estimating based on how much you expect to spend on rent; if you limited rent to 30% of your income, you would need to earn a bit over $53,000 a year to afford a one-bedroom in Sacramento at a median rate of $1,349 a month.

Another option is to use the “living wage” calculation made available by researchers at MIT. According to their data, a single adult would need to earn $25.93 an hour in order to live in Sacramento (or $53,930 a year before taxes). That’s pretty much the same as the estimate we came to through rental pricing.

How Much Are Utilities in Sacramento?

The average renter will spend $292.06 a month on utilities in Sacramento. Take a look at how that breaks down by utility type:

Adding on the Internet with 60 Mbps or more with unlimited data, cable/ADSL will cost you an extra $72.44 for a total of $326.78 each month.

Winters in Sacramento can get chilly at night. The coldest days of the year fall in December, with an average overnight temperature falling below 40°F. On the other hand, summers are hot, with July being the hottest month with an average daytime high of 93°F.

Before moving, find out how much utilities will cost in an apartment so you can get a better idea of what to expect and budget accordingly.

How Much Is Child Care in Sacramento, CA?

According to MIT, the cost of child care in Sacramento are substantial. Families will spend on average $13,002 a year for child care for one child. For two children, that cost climbs to $26,004.

How Much Is Transportation in Sacramento?

If you're a single adult without children, you'll spend about $10,588 for transportation in Sacramento annually. On the other hand, a family of four, including two working adults and two children, will pay $17,761 for transportation annually. Keep in mind that gasoline prices in Sacramento are around $5.01 per gallon, significantly higher than the national average of $3.63.

Sacramento’s official public transportation operator is the Sacramento Regional Transit (SacRT), serving Sacramento, Rancho Cordova, Elk Grove, Folsom, and Citrus Heights. The award-winning regional transit provider operates over 80 bus routes, 52 light rail stations, and ADA paratransit services.

Public transportation in Sacramento is dependable. Still, you might want a vehicle of your own. If you plan to make the most out of living in Sacramento, you’ll probably want to have a car to get around and see all of the sights.

How Much Are Groceries in Sacramento?

If you're a single adult without children, you can expect to pay at least $4,623 on food per year. However, a family of two working adults and two children can expect to pay $113,587 per year for food. Eating out in Sacramento costs an average of $18 for a meal at an inexpensive restaurant, while a three-course dinner for two people at a mid-range restaurant runs $63.50 without alcohol or dessert.

You can anticipate paying slightly below the national average for food items from local grocery stores like Nugget Markets, Save Mart, or Raley’s. For example, one gallon of regular milk costs $4.68 in the grocery store, while the national average is $3.79.

How Much Is Healthcare in Sacramento?

When planning your budget in Sacramento, account for proper medical care. A single adult without children will pay around $2,889 for medical care over the year, while two working adults with two children will pay $9,996.

Sacramento Fitness and Entertainment

In Sacramento, the weather is relatively mild year-round. Still, the summers can get quite hot, exceeding temperatures above 90°F, which means you might want to consider fitness club membership costs to keep fit throughout the year. The monthly fee for a fitness club membership for one adult is $64.80.

Otherwise, when weather permits, you can enjoy the beautiful Sacramento outdoors. Hike some of the city’s most popular trails, including the Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail, The Quarry Trail, and Darrington Trail. Sacramento’s other great outdoor activities include biking along the American River, walking through the rose garden at William Land Park, and enjoying water sports at Loch Leven Lakes.

Of course, if you prefer staying indoors, there are plenty of entertainment options throughout the city. For example, if you enjoy the local cinema, it will cost you $12 without snacks or drinks. So instead, you can save a few bucks by checking out one of the 223 incredible parks and parkways in Sacramento, with fun outdoor activities for all ages.

Other Expenses to Consider in Sacramento

Unfortunately, California has some of the highest tax rates in the country. Income and sales taxes are high throughout the state, while property taxes fall below national averages.

In Sacramento, the California state sales tax is 6%. The Sacramento County sales tax rate is 0.25%. In addition, there is a 1% Sacramento tax and a special tax of 1.5%, making the total sales tax rate for the city 8.75%. While this sales tax rate might seem high, it falls well below the state’s highest rate of 10.75% in Alameda County.

Aside from taxes, anyone moving out of state to Sacramento will need to consider costs associated with cross-country movers, storage, hotels, and transportation. Additional fees, including application fees, security deposits, pet deposits, and more, often come with these types of moves.

Furnishing your home is yet another overlooked expense that quickly adds up. Save a few bucks during your big move by checking out some tips and tricks on decorating your apartment on a budget.

Job Market in Sacramento

The good news for anyone looking to call Sacramento home is that it provides a low cost of living and a strong job market. The unemployment rate in Sacramento is lower than the national average of 3.5% at 3.1%.

Sacramento has evolved into a city with a booming economy, focused primarily on industries such as technology, health care, and construction. Some of the city’s major employers include UC Davis Medical Center, Sutter Medical Center, and the state capital.

Looking for an Apartment in Sacramento?

If you are interested in moving to Sacramento, a city filled with beautiful weather and a promising job market, then you’ll need to determine which Sacramento neighborhood is best for you and learn how to apartment hunt. Register with Apartment List today and start checking out the hundreds of available apartments to rent in Sacramento!

FAQs: Cost of Living in Sacramento 2023

How expensive is an apartment in Sacramento?

A one-bedroom apartment in Sacramento costs $1,246. A two-bedroom apartment in Sacramento costs $1,629.

What is the cheapest rent in Sacramento?

The cheapest rent in Sacramento is a one-bedroom apartment that costs an average of $1,246.

How expensive is it to live in Sacramento?

Living in Sacramento is relatively expensive. In Sacramento, rent averages $1,246 for a one-bedroom apartment. Transportation costs in Sacramento amount to $4,938 a year. Food costs $3,999 a year on average for a single resident of Sacramento.

How far is Sacramento from Los Angeles?

Sacramento is 386 miles away from Los Angeles. It takes 5 hours and 50 minutes to get to Los Angeles from Sacramento by car, 39 hours by bike, and 143 hours by foot.

How far is Sacramento from San Francisco?

Sacramento is 88 miles away from San Francisco. It takes 1 hour and 50 minutes to get to San Francisco from Sacramento by car, 7 hours by bike, and 24 hours by foot.

How far is Chico from Sacramento?

Sacramento is 90 miles away from Chico. It takes 1 hour and 45 minutes to get to Chico from Sacramento by car, 8 hours by bike, and 30 hours by foot.

What is the population of Sacramento?

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the population of Sacramento is 525,041. It is the capital city and fifth-largest metropolitan area in California.