Side-by-side comparison

Seattle vs Sacramento

Cost of living comparison for Seattle, Washington and Sacramento, California.

Bottom line

Seattle is approximately 17% more expensive than Sacramento. A single person needs about $4,588/mo in Seattle versus $3,910/mo in Sacramento.

Rent in Seattle vs Sacramento

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Seattle · Studio

$2,238

Sacramento · Studio

$1,679

Seattle is $559 (33%) higher than Sacramento

Seattle · 1 bedroom

$2,293

Sacramento · 1 bedroom

$1,777

Seattle is $516 (29%) higher than Sacramento

Seattle · 2 bedroom

$2,671

Sacramento · 2 bedroom

$2,206

Seattle is $465 (21%) higher than Sacramento

Seattle · 3 bedroom

$3,521

Sacramento · 3 bedroom

$2,992

Seattle is $529 (18%) higher than Sacramento

Income & earnings in Seattle vs Sacramento

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Seattle · Household income

$122,148

Sacramento · Household income

$88,724

Seattle is $33,424 (38%) higher than Sacramento

Seattle · Individual earnings

$67,141

Sacramento · Individual earnings

$47,214

Seattle is $19,927 (42%) higher than Sacramento

Seattle · Per capita

$71,062

Sacramento · Per capita

$41,989

Seattle is $29,073 (69%) higher than Sacramento

Home values in Seattle vs Sacramento

Average values and property tax.

Seattle · Average home value

$811,200

Sacramento · Average home value

$498,900

Seattle is $312,300 (63%) higher than Sacramento

Seattle · Annual property tax

$6,785

Sacramento · Annual property tax

$3,768

Seattle is $3,017 (80%) higher than Sacramento

Energy in Seattle vs Sacramento

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Seattle · Monthly electricity

$109

Sacramento · Monthly electricity

$167

Sacramento is $58 (53%) higher than Seattle

Seattle · Monthly gas

$48

Sacramento · Monthly gas

$50

Sacramento is $2 (4%) higher than Seattle

Seattle · Annual total

$1,884

Sacramento · Annual total

$2,604

Sacramento is $720 (38%) higher than Seattle

Healthcare in Seattle vs Sacramento

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Seattle · Individual premium

$480

Sacramento · Individual premium

$480

Seattle and Sacramento are about the same

Seattle · Family premium

$1,350

Sacramento · Family premium

$1,350

Seattle and Sacramento are about the same

Seattle · Uninsured rate

5.2%

Sacramento · Uninsured rate

5.1%

Seattle is 0.1% (2%) higher than Sacramento

Taxes in Seattle vs Sacramento

State income and sales tax.

Seattle · State income tax

0.0%

Sacramento · State income tax

13.3%

Sacramento is 13.3% higher than Seattle

Seattle · State sales tax

6.5%

Sacramento · State sales tax

7.3%

Sacramento is 0.8% (12%) higher than Seattle

Seattle · Combined sales tax

10.2%

Sacramento · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Seattle is 1.4% (16%) higher than Sacramento

Transportation in Seattle vs Sacramento

Commute time and travel modes.

Seattle · Average commute

28.1 min

Sacramento · Average commute

27.7 min

Seattle is 0.4 min (1%) higher than Sacramento

Seattle · Drive alone

51.8%

Sacramento · Drive alone

67.6%

Sacramento is 15.8% (31%) higher than Seattle

Seattle · Public transit

8.0%

Sacramento · Public transit

1.5%

Seattle is 6.5% (433%) higher than Sacramento

Monthly cost estimates in Seattle vs Sacramento

All categories combined.

Seattle · Single person

$4,588

Sacramento · Single person

$3,910

Seattle is $678 (17%) higher than Sacramento

Seattle · Couple

$6,424

Sacramento · Couple

$5,939

Seattle is $485 (8%) higher than Sacramento

Seattle · Family

$9,440

Sacramento · Family

$8,932

Seattle is $508 (6%) higher than Sacramento

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Seattle and Sacramento.

Is Seattle or Sacramento more expensive?

Seattle is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,588/mo in Seattle, Washington and $3,910/mo in Sacramento, California, a difference of about 17%.

What is the rent difference between Seattle and Sacramento?

Average one-bedroom rent in Seattle, Washington is $2,293/mo versus $1,777/mo in Sacramento, California. Seattle is approximately $516 (29%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Seattle or Sacramento?

Seattle has the higher average household income. Seattle households earn approximately $122,148 per year; Sacramento households earn approximately $88,724 per year.

More on Seattle and Sacramento

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

Seattle 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.