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Sacramento vs San Francisco: which is cheaper?

Sacramento is 8% cheaperBased on official 2024 price levels from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.

I need $65,030 in San Francisco to live the same way.

🏠 Rent per month
$2,152
$3,201
🛏️ 2-bedroom rent
$1,950
$3,312
💵 Families earn per year
$94,176
$152,036
🔑 Buying a house
$506,300
$1,394,500
📊 Overall prices (U.S. = 100)
106.7
115.6
🏛️ Property tax per year
$3,842
$9,862
⚡ Electric bill per month
$127
$104
👥 People living there
528,706
830,235
Commute to work
25.3 min
30.4 min
College degree
37.1%
60.3%
Own their home
51.7%
38.2%
Below poverty line
13.9%
11.2%
Unemployment
6.6%
6.1%

Bottom line

Pay for the same job

JobSacramentoSan FranciscoDifference
Market Research Analyst$78,630$123,250+57% in San Francisco
Software Developer$139,640$186,640+34% in San Francisco
Nurse Practitioner$172,010$219,080+27% in San Francisco
Operations Manager$118,460$149,990+27% in San Francisco
Electrician$74,830$92,830+24% in San Francisco
Firefighter$94,080$113,700+21% in San Francisco
Accountant$92,110$110,730+20% in San Francisco
Carpenter$74,440$89,200+20% in San Francisco

Frequently asked questions

Is Sacramento or San Francisco cheaper to live in?

Sacramento is about 8% cheaper overall. Rent is $2,152 a month there versus $3,201 in San Francisco.

What salary do I need in San Francisco to match $60,000 in Sacramento?

About $65,030 a year gives the same standard of living in San Francisco.

Where do people earn more, Sacramento or San Francisco?

The typical household earns $94,176 in Sacramento and $152,036 in San Francisco, 38% more in San Francisco.

More comparisons

All Sacramento comparisons → · All San Francisco comparisons →

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