Side-by-side comparison

Sacramento vs San Jose

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

Bottom line

San Jose is approximately 49% more expensive than Sacramento. A single person needs about $5,823/mo in San Jose versus $3,910/mo in Sacramento.

Rent in Sacramento vs San Jose

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Sacramento · Studio

$1,679

San Jose · Studio

$2,608

San Jose is $929 (55%) higher than Sacramento

Sacramento · 1 bedroom

$1,777

San Jose · 1 bedroom

$2,975

San Jose is $1,198 (67%) higher than Sacramento

Sacramento · 2 bedroom

$2,206

San Jose · 2 bedroom

$3,446

San Jose is $1,240 (56%) higher than Sacramento

Sacramento · 3 bedroom

$2,992

San Jose · 3 bedroom

$4,477

San Jose is $1,485 (50%) higher than Sacramento

Income & earnings in Sacramento vs San Jose

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Sacramento · Household income

$88,724

San Jose · Household income

$159,674

San Jose is $70,950 (80%) higher than Sacramento

Sacramento · Individual earnings

$47,214

San Jose · Individual earnings

$74,030

San Jose is $26,816 (57%) higher than Sacramento

Sacramento · Per capita

$41,989

San Jose · Per capita

$77,018

San Jose is $35,029 (83%) higher than Sacramento

Home values in Sacramento vs San Jose

Average values and property tax.

Sacramento · Average home value

$498,900

San Jose · Average home value

$1,382,800

San Jose is $883,900 (177%) higher than Sacramento

Sacramento · Annual property tax

$3,768

San Jose · Annual property tax

$9,766

San Jose is $5,998 (159%) higher than Sacramento

Energy in Sacramento vs San Jose

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Sacramento · Monthly electricity

$167

San Jose · Monthly electricity

$167

Sacramento and San Jose are about the same

Sacramento · Monthly gas

$50

San Jose · Monthly gas

$50

Sacramento and San Jose are about the same

Sacramento · Annual total

$2,604

San Jose · Annual total

$2,604

Sacramento and San Jose are about the same

Healthcare in Sacramento vs San Jose

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Sacramento · Individual premium

$480

San Jose · Individual premium

$480

Sacramento and San Jose are about the same

Sacramento · Family premium

$1,350

San Jose · Family premium

$1,350

Sacramento and San Jose are about the same

Sacramento · Uninsured rate

5.1%

San Jose · Uninsured rate

4.0%

Sacramento is 1.1% (27%) higher than San Jose

Taxes in Sacramento vs San Jose

State income and sales tax.

Sacramento · State income tax

13.3%

San Jose · State income tax

13.3%

Sacramento and San Jose are about the same

Sacramento · State sales tax

7.3%

San Jose · State sales tax

7.3%

Sacramento and San Jose are about the same

Sacramento · Combined sales tax

8.8%

San Jose · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Sacramento and San Jose are about the same

Transportation in Sacramento vs San Jose

Commute time and travel modes.

Sacramento · Average commute

27.7 min

San Jose · Average commute

27.0 min

Sacramento is 0.7 min (3%) higher than San Jose

Sacramento · Drive alone

67.6%

San Jose · Drive alone

61.7%

Sacramento is 5.9% (10%) higher than San Jose

Sacramento · Public transit

1.5%

San Jose · Public transit

2.7%

San Jose is 1.2% (80%) higher than Sacramento

Monthly cost estimates in Sacramento vs San Jose

All categories combined.

Sacramento · Single person

$3,910

San Jose · Single person

$5,823

San Jose is $1,913 (49%) higher than Sacramento

Sacramento · Couple

$5,939

San Jose · Couple

$9,192

San Jose is $3,253 (55%) higher than Sacramento

Sacramento · Family

$8,932

San Jose · Family

$12,430

San Jose is $3,498 (39%) higher than Sacramento

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Sacramento and San Jose.

Is Sacramento or San Jose more expensive?

San Jose is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,910/mo in Sacramento, California and $5,823/mo in San Jose, California, a difference of about 49%.

What is the rent difference between Sacramento and San Jose?

Average one-bedroom rent in Sacramento, California is $1,777/mo versus $2,975/mo in San Jose, California. San Jose is approximately $1,198 (67%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Sacramento or San Jose?

San Jose has the higher average household income. Sacramento households earn approximately $88,724 per year; San Jose households earn approximately $159,674 per year.

More on Sacramento and San Jose

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

Sacramento profile San Jose 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.