Skip to main content
LiveWhere us
Side-by-side comparison

Sacramento vs Salt Lake City

Cost of living comparison for Sacramento, California and Salt Lake City, Utah.

Bottom line

Sacramento is approximately 12% more expensive than Salt Lake City. A single person needs about $3,910/mo in Sacramento versus $3,494/mo in Salt Lake City.

Rent in Sacramento vs Salt Lake City

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Sacramento · Studio
$1,679
Salt Lake City · Studio
$1,243
Sacramento is $436 (35%) higher than Salt Lake City
Sacramento · 1 bedroom
$1,777
Salt Lake City · 1 bedroom
$1,453
Sacramento is $324 (22%) higher than Salt Lake City
Sacramento · 2 bedroom
$2,206
Salt Lake City · 2 bedroom
$1,748
Sacramento is $458 (26%) higher than Salt Lake City
Sacramento · 3 bedroom
$2,992
Salt Lake City · 3 bedroom
$2,348
Sacramento is $644 (27%) higher than Salt Lake City

Income & earnings in Sacramento vs Salt Lake City

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Sacramento · Household income
$88,724
Salt Lake City · Household income
$94,658
Salt Lake City is $5,934 (7%) higher than Sacramento
Sacramento · Individual earnings
$47,214
Salt Lake City · Individual earnings
$46,252
Sacramento is $962 (2%) higher than Salt Lake City
Sacramento · Per capita
$41,989
Salt Lake City · Per capita
$43,393
Salt Lake City is $1,404 (3%) higher than Sacramento

Home values in Sacramento vs Salt Lake City

Average values and property tax.

Sacramento · Average home value
$498,900
Salt Lake City · Average home value
$484,500
Sacramento is $14,400 (3%) higher than Salt Lake City
Sacramento · Annual property tax
$3,768
Salt Lake City · Annual property tax
$2,726
Sacramento is $1,042 (38%) higher than Salt Lake City

Energy in Sacramento vs Salt Lake City

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Sacramento · Monthly electricity
$167
Salt Lake City · Monthly electricity
$90
Sacramento is $77 (86%) higher than Salt Lake City
Sacramento · Monthly gas
$50
Salt Lake City · Monthly gas
$50
Sacramento and Salt Lake City are about the same
Sacramento · Annual total
$2,604
Salt Lake City · Annual total
$1,680
Sacramento is $924 (55%) higher than Salt Lake City

Healthcare in Sacramento vs Salt Lake City

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Sacramento · Individual premium
$480
Salt Lake City · Individual premium
$480
Sacramento and Salt Lake City are about the same
Sacramento · Family premium
$1,350
Salt Lake City · Family premium
$1,350
Sacramento and Salt Lake City are about the same
Sacramento · Uninsured rate
5.1%
Salt Lake City · Uninsured rate
9.6%
Salt Lake City is 4.5% (88%) higher than Sacramento

Taxes in Sacramento vs Salt Lake City

State income and sales tax.

Sacramento · State income tax
13.3%
Salt Lake City · State income tax
4.7%
Sacramento is 8.7% (186%) higher than Salt Lake City
Sacramento · State sales tax
7.3%
Salt Lake City · State sales tax
6.1%
Sacramento is 1.2% (19%) higher than Salt Lake City
Sacramento · Combined sales tax
8.8%
Salt Lake City · Combined sales tax
7.2%
Sacramento is 1.7% (23%) higher than Salt Lake City

Transportation in Sacramento vs Salt Lake City

Commute time and travel modes.

Sacramento · Average commute
27.7 min
Salt Lake City · Average commute
22.4 min
Sacramento is 5.3 min (24%) higher than Salt Lake City
Sacramento · Drive alone
67.6%
Salt Lake City · Drive alone
66.8%
Sacramento is 0.8% (1%) higher than Salt Lake City
Sacramento · Public transit
1.5%
Salt Lake City · Public transit
2.3%
Salt Lake City is 0.8% (53%) higher than Sacramento

Monthly cost estimates in Sacramento vs Salt Lake City

All categories combined.

Sacramento · Single person
$3,910
Salt Lake City · Single person
$3,494
Sacramento is $416 (12%) higher than Salt Lake City
Sacramento · Couple
$5,939
Salt Lake City · Couple
$5,349
Sacramento is $590 (11%) higher than Salt Lake City
Sacramento · Family
$8,932
Salt Lake City · Family
$8,084
Sacramento is $848 (10%) higher than Salt Lake City

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Sacramento and Salt Lake City.

Is Sacramento or Salt Lake City more expensive?

Sacramento is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,910/mo in Sacramento, California and $3,494/mo in Salt Lake City, Utah, a difference of about 12%.

What is the rent difference between Sacramento and Salt Lake City?

Average one-bedroom rent in Sacramento, California is $1,777/mo versus $1,453/mo in Salt Lake City, Utah. Sacramento is approximately $324 (22%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Sacramento or Salt Lake City?

Salt Lake City has the higher average household income. Sacramento households earn approximately $88,724 per year; Salt Lake City households earn approximately $94,658 per year.

More on Sacramento and Salt Lake City

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

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.