🌆 Cost of Living in Sacramento, California
Complete 2026 guide for singles, families & professionals | Updated May 2026
Overall vs US Avg
Housing vs US Avg
Avg 1-Bedroom Rent
Avg Monthly Salary
Sacramento, California’s capital city, strikes a unique balance between Bay Area proximity and Central Valley affordability. The overall cost of living is about 12 percent above the national average but significantly 20-30 percent lower than San Francisco or Los Angeles. With a booming job market in government, healthcare, and clean tech, Sacramento offers a high quality of life without the extreme coastal price tags .
🏠 Housing & Rent
Housing is the biggest expense in Sacramento, but it remains a relative bargain compared to other major California metros. The average rent for all property types has stabilized in 2026, with downtown and midtown commanding premium rates .
Average Rent by Bedroom (Sacramento Metro)
| 🏢 Studio Apartment (Downtown) | $1,250 – $1,450 / month |
| 🏢 1-Bedroom Apartment | $1,495 / month average |
| 🏢 2-Bedroom Apartment | $1,850 – $2,100 / month |
| 🏢 3-Bedroom House | $2,400 – $2,800 / month |
| 🏠 Median Home Price | $485,000 (May 2026) |
Most Affordable vs Premium Neighborhoods
Rent varies dramatically by location. Here’s what you can expect in key Sacramento areas :
| 📍 North Sacramento / Del Paso Heights | $1,050 – $1,250 (1-bed) |
| 📍 South Land Park / Pocket | $1,300 – $1,550 (1-bed) |
| 📍 Midtown / Boulevard Park | $1,650 – $1,950 (1-bed) |
| 📍 East Sacramento (Fab Forties) | $1,800 – $2,300 (1-bed) |
| 📍 Land Park / Curtis Park | $1,600 – $2,100 (1-bed) |
💡 Utilities & Internet
Sacramento’s hot, dry summers (100°F+ days) push electricity costs higher, but SMUD (Sacramento Municipal Utility District) offers rates 15-20% lower than PG&E in the Bay Area [citation:6].
| ⚡ Electricity (avg monthly, summer peak) | $185 – $265 / month |
| ⚡ Electricity (winter avg) | $95 – $135 / month |
| 💧 Water & Sewer (base + usage) | $65 – $85 / month |
| 🗑️ Trash / Recycling | $30 – $45 / month |
| 🌐 High-speed Internet (500 Mbps) | $65 – $85 / month |
🛒 Groceries & Food Costs
Grocery prices in Sacramento align closely with the California average. Thanks to the Central Valley’s agricultural abundance, fresh produce is often cheaper than in coastal cities. Overall grocery costs are about 8% above national average].
| 🥛 Milk (1 gallon) | $4.19 – $4.89 |
| 🍞 White Bread (loaf) | $3.29 – $4.49 |
| 🥚 Eggs (dozen, large) | $3.89 – $5.29 |
| 🍗 Chicken breast (1 lb) | $5.29 – $6.99 |
| 🥩 Ground beef (1 lb, 80/20) | $5.49 – $7.29 |
| 🍎 Apples (1 lb) | $1.89 – $2.79 |
| 🍌 Bananas (1 lb) | $0.69 – $0.89 |
| 🥔 Potatoes (5 lb bag) | $4.49 – $5.99 |
| 🍅 Tomatoes (1 lb) | $2.29 – $3.49 |
| 🧀 Cheddar cheese (8 oz) | $4.99 – $6.49 |
| 🍷 Wine (table, mid-range) | $11 – $18 |
🍽️ Dining Out & Nightlife
Sacramento’s farm-to-fork capital status means excellent dining at moderate prices compared to SF/LA. Midtown and R Street corridor offer vibrant options .
| 🍔 Fast food combo (McDonald’s, etc) | $9.50 – $11.00 |
| 🍽️ Basic lunch (business district) | $15 – $19 |
| 🥩 Mid-range dinner for two (3 courses) | $65 – $90 |
| 🍺 Domestic beer (0.5L tap) | $6 – $8 |
| ☕ Cappuccino (specialty coffee) | $5.25 – $6.75 |
| 🍕 Large cheese pizza (chain) | $14 – $18 |
🚗 Transportation & Commuting
Sacramento has a decent public transit system (SacRT light rail & buses), but most residents rely on cars. Gas prices are typically 10-15% above national average due to California taxes .
| 🚌 Monthly public transit pass (SacRT) | $100 [citation:11] |
| 🚕 Taxi base fare (day) | $3.85 – $4.50 |
| 🚕 Uber/Lyft (downtown to airport, ~11 miles) | $28 – $38 |
| ⛽ Gasoline (per gallon, regular) | $4.85 – $5.35 |
| 🚗 Car insurance (average monthly) | $145 – $190 |
| 🅿️ Downtown parking (monthly garage) | $125 – $200 |
🏥 Healthcare Costs
Sacramento is a medical hub with UC Davis Medical Center and Sutter Health. Healthcare costs run near the California average, slightly above national baseline .
| 👨⚕️ Primary care doctor visit | $145 – $185 |
| 🦷 Dental checkup (cleaning + exam) | $120 – $165 |
| 💊 Prescription (generic, 30-day common) | $12 – $35 |
| 🤒 Urgent care visit | $165 – $220 |
🎬 Lifestyle & Entertainment
From Golden 1 Center (NBA Kings) to the American River Parkway, entertainment costs are moderate. Many outdoor activities are free or low-cost .
| 🎬 Movie ticket (weekend evening) | $13.50 – $17.00 |
| 🎳 Bowling (per person, per game) | $6 – $8 |
| 🏛️ Sacramento Zoo (adult entry) | $14.95 |
| 💇 Men’s haircut (standard) | $28 – $42 |
| 🏋️ Gym membership (mid-range, monthly) | $45 – $75 |
| 🎟️ Kings NBA game (nosebleed seat) | $35 – $65 |
📊 Monthly Budget Summary – Sacramento 2026
• Rent (1-bed, decent area): $1,495
• Utilities + Internet: $260
• Groceries: $450
• Transportation (car + gas/transit): $320
• Dining out & Entertainment: $350
• Healthcare (insurance copays + avg): $185
💰 Total Monthly Baseline: ~$3,060
💰 Total Annually (net expenses): ~$36,720
📊 To live comfortably (with savings & leisure), a gross annual salary of $70,000 – $85,000 is recommended for a single person.
The average monthly salary in Sacramento is roughly $6,425 ($77,100 annually) . This aligns well with local costs, but entry-level earners may find budgeting essential.
• 25th percentile salary: $54,000
• Median household income: $82,500 (Sacramento County, 2025 est.)
• Top earners (75th percentile): $112,000+
Compared to the required living wage for a single adult (~$41,500 after tax), Sacramento offers a favorable income-to-expense ratio, especially for dual-income households.