Side-by-side comparison

Phoenix vs Sacramento

Cost of living comparison for Phoenix, Arizona and Sacramento, California.

Bottom line

Sacramento is approximately 6% more expensive than Phoenix. A single person needs about $3,910/mo in Sacramento versus $3,694/mo in Phoenix.

Rent in Phoenix vs Sacramento

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Phoenix · Studio

$1,530

Sacramento · Studio

$1,679

Sacramento is $149 (10%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · 1 bedroom

$1,679

Sacramento · 1 bedroom

$1,777

Sacramento is $98 (6%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · 2 bedroom

$1,950

Sacramento · 2 bedroom

$2,206

Sacramento is $256 (13%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · 3 bedroom

$2,624

Sacramento · 3 bedroom

$2,992

Sacramento is $368 (14%) higher than Phoenix

Income & earnings in Phoenix vs Sacramento

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Phoenix · Household income

$85,518

Sacramento · Household income

$88,724

Sacramento is $3,206 (4%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · Individual earnings

$46,640

Sacramento · Individual earnings

$47,214

Sacramento is $574 (1%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · Per capita

$44,210

Sacramento · Per capita

$41,989

Phoenix is $2,221 (5%) higher than Sacramento

Home values in Phoenix vs Sacramento

Average values and property tax.

Phoenix · Average home value

$414,700

Sacramento · Average home value

$498,900

Sacramento is $84,200 (20%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · Annual property tax

$1,965

Sacramento · Annual property tax

$3,768

Sacramento is $1,803 (92%) higher than Phoenix

Energy in Phoenix vs Sacramento

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Phoenix · Monthly electricity

$150

Sacramento · Monthly electricity

$167

Sacramento is $17 (11%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · Monthly gas

$39

Sacramento · Monthly gas

$50

Sacramento is $11 (28%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · Annual total

$2,268

Sacramento · Annual total

$2,604

Sacramento is $336 (15%) higher than Phoenix

Healthcare in Phoenix vs Sacramento

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Phoenix · Individual premium

$480

Sacramento · Individual premium

$480

Phoenix and Sacramento are about the same

Phoenix · Family premium

$1,350

Sacramento · Family premium

$1,350

Phoenix and Sacramento are about the same

Phoenix · Uninsured rate

10.7%

Sacramento · Uninsured rate

5.1%

Phoenix is 5.6% (110%) higher than Sacramento

Taxes in Phoenix vs Sacramento

State income and sales tax.

Phoenix · State income tax

2.5%

Sacramento · State income tax

13.3%

Sacramento is 10.8% (432%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · State sales tax

5.6%

Sacramento · State sales tax

7.3%

Sacramento is 1.7% (29%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · Combined sales tax

8.4%

Sacramento · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Sacramento is 0.5% (6%) higher than Phoenix

Transportation in Phoenix vs Sacramento

Commute time and travel modes.

Phoenix · Average commute

26.1 min

Sacramento · Average commute

27.7 min

Sacramento is 1.6 min (6%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · Drive alone

66.6%

Sacramento · Drive alone

67.6%

Sacramento is 1.0% (2%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · Public transit

1.3%

Sacramento · Public transit

1.5%

Sacramento is 0.2% (15%) higher than Phoenix

Monthly cost estimates in Phoenix vs Sacramento

All categories combined.

Phoenix · Single person

$3,694

Sacramento · Single person

$3,910

Sacramento is $216 (6%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · Couple

$5,274

Sacramento · Couple

$5,939

Sacramento is $665 (13%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · Family

$8,098

Sacramento · Family

$8,932

Sacramento is $834 (10%) higher than Phoenix

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Phoenix and Sacramento.

Is Phoenix or Sacramento more expensive?

Sacramento is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,694/mo in Phoenix, Arizona and $3,910/mo in Sacramento, California, a difference of about 6%.

What is the rent difference between Phoenix and Sacramento?

Average one-bedroom rent in Phoenix, Arizona is $1,679/mo versus $1,777/mo in Sacramento, California. Sacramento is approximately $98 (6%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Phoenix or Sacramento?

Sacramento has the higher average household income. Phoenix households earn approximately $85,518 per year; Sacramento households earn approximately $88,724 per year.

More on Phoenix and Sacramento

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

Phoenix 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.