Side-by-side comparison

Sacramento vs Raleigh

Cost of living comparison for Sacramento, California and Raleigh, North Carolina.

Bottom line

Sacramento is approximately 2% more expensive than Raleigh. A single person needs about $3,910/mo in Sacramento versus $3,827/mo in Raleigh.

Rent in Sacramento vs Raleigh

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Sacramento · Studio

$1,679

Raleigh · Studio

$1,533

Sacramento is $146 (10%) higher than Raleigh

Sacramento · 1 bedroom

$1,777

Raleigh · 1 bedroom

$1,592

Sacramento is $185 (12%) higher than Raleigh

Sacramento · 2 bedroom

$2,206

Raleigh · 2 bedroom

$1,763

Sacramento is $443 (25%) higher than Raleigh

Sacramento · 3 bedroom

$2,992

Raleigh · 3 bedroom

$2,192

Sacramento is $800 (36%) higher than Raleigh

Income & earnings in Sacramento vs Raleigh

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Sacramento · Household income

$88,724

Raleigh · Household income

$101,763

Raleigh is $13,039 (15%) higher than Sacramento

Sacramento · Individual earnings

$47,214

Raleigh · Individual earnings

$54,712

Raleigh is $7,498 (16%) higher than Sacramento

Sacramento · Per capita

$41,989

Raleigh · Per capita

$52,949

Raleigh is $10,960 (26%) higher than Sacramento

Home values in Sacramento vs Raleigh

Average values and property tax.

Sacramento · Average home value

$498,900

Raleigh · Average home value

$422,800

Sacramento is $76,100 (18%) higher than Raleigh

Sacramento · Annual property tax

$3,768

Raleigh · Annual property tax

$3,023

Sacramento is $745 (25%) higher than Raleigh

Energy in Sacramento vs Raleigh

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Sacramento · Monthly electricity

$167

Raleigh · Monthly electricity

$147

Sacramento is $20 (14%) higher than Raleigh

Sacramento · Monthly gas

$50

Raleigh · Monthly gas

$40

Sacramento is $10 (25%) higher than Raleigh

Sacramento · Annual total

$2,604

Raleigh · Annual total

$2,244

Sacramento is $360 (16%) higher than Raleigh

Healthcare in Sacramento vs Raleigh

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Sacramento · Individual premium

$480

Raleigh · Individual premium

$480

Sacramento and Raleigh are about the same

Sacramento · Family premium

$1,350

Raleigh · Family premium

$1,350

Sacramento and Raleigh are about the same

Sacramento · Uninsured rate

5.1%

Raleigh · Uninsured rate

8.2%

Raleigh is 3.1% (61%) higher than Sacramento

Taxes in Sacramento vs Raleigh

State income and sales tax.

Sacramento · State income tax

13.3%

Raleigh · State income tax

4.5%

Sacramento is 8.8% (196%) higher than Raleigh

Sacramento · State sales tax

7.3%

Raleigh · State sales tax

4.8%

Sacramento is 2.5% (53%) higher than Raleigh

Sacramento · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Raleigh · Combined sales tax

7.0%

Sacramento is 1.8% (26%) higher than Raleigh

Transportation in Sacramento vs Raleigh

Commute time and travel modes.

Sacramento · Average commute

27.7 min

Raleigh · Average commute

25.3 min

Sacramento is 2.4 min (9%) higher than Raleigh

Sacramento · Drive alone

67.6%

Raleigh · Drive alone

64.4%

Sacramento is 3.2% (5%) higher than Raleigh

Sacramento · Public transit

1.5%

Raleigh · Public transit

0.7%

Sacramento is 0.8% (114%) higher than Raleigh

Monthly cost estimates in Sacramento vs Raleigh

All categories combined.

Sacramento · Single person

$3,910

Raleigh · Single person

$3,827

Sacramento is $83 (2%) higher than Raleigh

Sacramento · Couple

$5,939

Raleigh · Couple

$5,526

Sacramento is $413 (7%) higher than Raleigh

Sacramento · Family

$8,932

Raleigh · Family

$8,087

Sacramento is $845 (10%) higher than Raleigh

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Sacramento and Raleigh.

Is Sacramento or Raleigh more expensive?

Sacramento is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,910/mo in Sacramento, California and $3,827/mo in Raleigh, North Carolina, a difference of about 2%.

What is the rent difference between Sacramento and Raleigh?

Average one-bedroom rent in Sacramento, California is $1,777/mo versus $1,592/mo in Raleigh, North Carolina. Sacramento is approximately $185 (12%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Sacramento or Raleigh?

Raleigh has the higher average household income. Sacramento households earn approximately $88,724 per year; Raleigh households earn approximately $101,763 per year.

More on Sacramento and Raleigh

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

Sacramento profile Raleigh 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.