Side-by-side comparison

Sacramento vs San Diego

Cost of living comparison for Sacramento, California and San Diego, California.

Bottom line

San Diego is approximately 15% more expensive than Sacramento. A single person needs about $4,511/mo in San Diego versus $3,910/mo in Sacramento.

Rent in Sacramento vs San Diego

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Sacramento · Studio

$1,679

San Diego · Studio

$2,145

San Diego is $466 (28%) higher than Sacramento

Sacramento · 1 bedroom

$1,777

San Diego · 1 bedroom

$2,328

San Diego is $551 (31%) higher than Sacramento

Sacramento · 2 bedroom

$2,206

San Diego · 2 bedroom

$2,881

San Diego is $675 (31%) higher than Sacramento

Sacramento · 3 bedroom

$2,992

San Diego · 3 bedroom

$3,852

San Diego is $860 (29%) higher than Sacramento

Income & earnings in Sacramento vs San Diego

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Sacramento · Household income

$88,724

San Diego · Household income

$102,285

San Diego is $13,561 (15%) higher than Sacramento

Sacramento · Individual earnings

$47,214

San Diego · Individual earnings

$49,552

San Diego is $2,338 (5%) higher than Sacramento

Sacramento · Per capita

$41,989

San Diego · Per capita

$49,891

San Diego is $7,902 (19%) higher than Sacramento

Home values in Sacramento vs San Diego

Average values and property tax.

Sacramento · Average home value

$498,900

San Diego · Average home value

$791,600

San Diego is $292,700 (59%) higher than Sacramento

Sacramento · Annual property tax

$3,768

San Diego · Annual property tax

$5,542

San Diego is $1,774 (47%) higher than Sacramento

Energy in Sacramento vs San Diego

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Sacramento · Monthly electricity

$167

San Diego · Monthly electricity

$167

Sacramento and San Diego are about the same

Sacramento · Monthly gas

$50

San Diego · Monthly gas

$50

Sacramento and San Diego are about the same

Sacramento · Annual total

$2,604

San Diego · Annual total

$2,604

Sacramento and San Diego are about the same

Healthcare in Sacramento vs San Diego

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Sacramento · Individual premium

$480

San Diego · Individual premium

$480

Sacramento and San Diego are about the same

Sacramento · Family premium

$1,350

San Diego · Family premium

$1,350

Sacramento and San Diego are about the same

Sacramento · Uninsured rate

5.1%

San Diego · Uninsured rate

6.8%

San Diego is 1.7% (33%) higher than Sacramento

Taxes in Sacramento vs San Diego

State income and sales tax.

Sacramento · State income tax

13.3%

San Diego · State income tax

13.3%

Sacramento and San Diego are about the same

Sacramento · State sales tax

7.3%

San Diego · State sales tax

7.3%

Sacramento and San Diego are about the same

Sacramento · Combined sales tax

8.8%

San Diego · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Sacramento and San Diego are about the same

Transportation in Sacramento vs San Diego

Commute time and travel modes.

Sacramento · Average commute

27.7 min

San Diego · Average commute

25.9 min

Sacramento is 1.8 min (7%) higher than San Diego

Sacramento · Drive alone

67.6%

San Diego · Drive alone

67.6%

Sacramento and San Diego are about the same

Sacramento · Public transit

1.5%

San Diego · Public transit

2.2%

San Diego is 0.7% (47%) higher than Sacramento

Monthly cost estimates in Sacramento vs San Diego

All categories combined.

Sacramento · Single person

$3,910

San Diego · Single person

$4,511

San Diego is $601 (15%) higher than Sacramento

Sacramento · Couple

$5,939

San Diego · Couple

$6,941

San Diego is $1,002 (17%) higher than Sacramento

Sacramento · Family

$8,932

San Diego · Family

$10,119

San Diego is $1,187 (13%) higher than Sacramento

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Sacramento and San Diego.

Is Sacramento or San Diego more expensive?

San Diego is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,910/mo in Sacramento, California and $4,511/mo in San Diego, California, a difference of about 15%.

What is the rent difference between Sacramento and San Diego?

Average one-bedroom rent in Sacramento, California is $1,777/mo versus $2,328/mo in San Diego, California. San Diego is approximately $551 (31%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Sacramento or San Diego?

San Diego has the higher average household income. Sacramento households earn approximately $88,724 per year; San Diego households earn approximately $102,285 per year.

More on Sacramento and San Diego

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

Sacramento profile San Diego 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.