Side-by-side comparison

Fresno vs Sacramento

Cost of living comparison for Fresno, California and Sacramento, California.

Bottom line

Sacramento is approximately 21% more expensive than Fresno. A single person needs about $3,910/mo in Sacramento versus $3,226/mo in Fresno.

Rent in Fresno vs Sacramento

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Fresno · Studio

$1,210

Sacramento · Studio

$1,679

Sacramento is $469 (39%) higher than Fresno

Fresno · 1 bedroom

$1,217

Sacramento · 1 bedroom

$1,777

Sacramento is $560 (46%) higher than Fresno

Fresno · 2 bedroom

$1,505

Sacramento · 2 bedroom

$2,206

Sacramento is $701 (47%) higher than Fresno

Fresno · 3 bedroom

$2,109

Sacramento · 3 bedroom

$2,992

Sacramento is $883 (42%) higher than Fresno

Income & earnings in Fresno vs Sacramento

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Fresno · Household income

$71,434

Sacramento · Household income

$88,724

Sacramento is $17,290 (24%) higher than Fresno

Fresno · Individual earnings

$38,046

Sacramento · Individual earnings

$47,214

Sacramento is $9,168 (24%) higher than Fresno

Fresno · Per capita

$31,777

Sacramento · Per capita

$41,989

Sacramento is $10,212 (32%) higher than Fresno

Home values in Fresno vs Sacramento

Average values and property tax.

Fresno · Average home value

$362,600

Sacramento · Average home value

$498,900

Sacramento is $136,300 (38%) higher than Fresno

Fresno · Annual property tax

$2,704

Sacramento · Annual property tax

$3,768

Sacramento is $1,064 (39%) higher than Fresno

Energy in Fresno vs Sacramento

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Fresno · Monthly electricity

$167

Sacramento · Monthly electricity

$167

Fresno and Sacramento are about the same

Fresno · Monthly gas

$50

Sacramento · Monthly gas

$50

Fresno and Sacramento are about the same

Fresno · Annual total

$2,604

Sacramento · Annual total

$2,604

Fresno and Sacramento are about the same

Healthcare in Fresno vs Sacramento

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Fresno · Individual premium

$480

Sacramento · Individual premium

$480

Fresno and Sacramento are about the same

Fresno · Family premium

$1,350

Sacramento · Family premium

$1,350

Fresno and Sacramento are about the same

Fresno · Uninsured rate

7.0%

Sacramento · Uninsured rate

5.1%

Fresno is 1.9% (37%) higher than Sacramento

Taxes in Fresno vs Sacramento

State income and sales tax.

Fresno · State income tax

13.3%

Sacramento · State income tax

13.3%

Fresno and Sacramento are about the same

Fresno · State sales tax

7.3%

Sacramento · State sales tax

7.3%

Fresno and Sacramento are about the same

Fresno · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Sacramento · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Fresno and Sacramento are about the same

Transportation in Fresno vs Sacramento

Commute time and travel modes.

Fresno · Average commute

23.4 min

Sacramento · Average commute

27.7 min

Sacramento is 4.3 min (18%) higher than Fresno

Fresno · Drive alone

74.7%

Sacramento · Drive alone

67.6%

Fresno is 7.1% (11%) higher than Sacramento

Fresno · Public transit

0.9%

Sacramento · Public transit

1.5%

Sacramento is 0.6% (67%) higher than Fresno

Monthly cost estimates in Fresno vs Sacramento

All categories combined.

Fresno · Single person

$3,226

Sacramento · Single person

$3,910

Sacramento is $684 (21%) higher than Fresno

Fresno · Couple

$4,891

Sacramento · Couple

$5,939

Sacramento is $1,048 (21%) higher than Fresno

Fresno · Family

$7,702

Sacramento · Family

$8,932

Sacramento is $1,230 (16%) higher than Fresno

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Fresno and Sacramento.

Is Fresno or Sacramento more expensive?

Sacramento is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,226/mo in Fresno, California and $3,910/mo in Sacramento, California, a difference of about 21%.

What is the rent difference between Fresno and Sacramento?

Average one-bedroom rent in Fresno, California is $1,217/mo versus $1,777/mo in Sacramento, California. Sacramento is approximately $560 (46%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Fresno or Sacramento?

Sacramento has the higher average household income. Fresno households earn approximately $71,434 per year; Sacramento households earn approximately $88,724 per year.

More on Fresno and Sacramento

Read full profiles for either area, or pick a different pair to compare.

Fresno profile Sacramento profile Compare different areas

About this data

Figures come from official U.S. government sources including the Census Bureau (ACS), HUD Fair Market Rents, and the Energy Information Administration. See our methodology for details.