Sacramento vs Los Angeles: Cost of Living Comparison
Compare cost of living between Sacramento, CA and Los Angeles, CA. Side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, rent, groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, state taxes, and salary equivalents.
vs
City A
Sacramento
California
Cost Index106.7
Median Rent$1,779/mo
Median Income$87K
State Tax13.3%
Average
Better value overall
City B
Los Angeles
California
Cost Index113.6
Median Rent$1,933/mo
Median Income$82K
State Tax13.3%
Above Average
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much would you need in Los Angeles to match your lifestyle in Sacramento?
$80,000
Sacramento
$80,000
Cost Index: 106.7
Los Angeles
$85,172
Cost Index: 113.6
You need +$5,172 more in Los Angeles to maintain the same lifestyle.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index scores where 100 = national average. Green highlights the city with the advantage.
Overall Cost Index+6.5%
Sacramento106.7
Los Angeles113.6
Median Rent+8.7%
Sacramento$2K
Los Angeles$2K
Median Income-6.2%
Sacramento$87K
Los Angeles$82K
Grocery Index+252.8%
Sacramento100.0
Los Angeles352.8
Utilities Index~equal
Sacramento100.0
Los Angeles100.0
Transportation+181.2%
Sacramento100.0
Los Angeles281.2
Healthcare~equal
Sacramento100.0
Los Angeles100.0
State Tax Rate~equal
Sacramento13.30%
Los Angeles13.30%
Side-by-Side Chart
Sacramento: Pros & Cons
6% lower overall cost of living
Lower rent — $1,779/mo vs $1,933/mo
Higher median income ($87K)
Lower grocery costs
Los Angeles: Pros & Cons
6% higher overall cost of living
Higher rent — $1,933/mo vs $1,779/mo
Sacramento vs Los Angeles – FAQ
Common questions about comparing cost of living between Sacramento and Los Angeles.
Sacramento has a cost of living index of 106.7, while Los Angeles scores 113.6. Los Angeles is approximately 6.5% more expensive overall. This comparison accounts for housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.
Median 2-bedroom rent in Sacramento is $1,779/month compared to $1,933/month in Los Angeles — a difference of 9%. Rent is typically the largest monthly expense, so this significantly impacts overall affordability.
Due to cost of living differences, you would need approximately 106% of your Sacramento salary to maintain the same standard of living in Los Angeles. For example, a $75,000 salary in Sacramento would need to be about $79,849 in Los Angeles. Use the salary slider above to calculate your specific equivalent.
The cost of living index is calculated using data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (Regional Price Parities), US Census Bureau (median incomes and home values), HUD (Fair Market Rents), and Bureau of Labor Statistics (consumer price data). A score of 100 represents the national average. Scores above 100 indicate higher-than-average costs, while scores below 100 are more affordable.
Sacramento has a median household income of $87,321 with an unemployment rate of 4.8%. Los Angeles has a median household income of $81,939 with an unemployment rate of 4.8%. While income is higher in Sacramento, remember to factor in cost of living when comparing real purchasing power.
Beyond cost of living, consider: (1) state income tax differences — some states have no income tax; (2) housing market trends and whether to rent or buy; (3) job market strength in your industry; (4) healthcare costs and access; (5) climate and lifestyle preferences; (6) commute times and transportation options; and (7) proximity to family. Our comparison tool covers the financial factors, but quality of life matters too.