Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
23% cheaper
Sacramento is 23% more affordable than Los Angeles. A $75,000 salary in Los Angeles is equivalent to $57,831 in Sacramento.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: California salaries · California salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Los Angeles has a housing index of 262 while Sacramento sits at 163 (national average = 100). The median home in Los Angeles costs $850,000 compared to $450,000 in Sacramento, a difference of $400,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $2,700 in Los Angeles versus $1,700 in Sacramento.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Los Angeles scores 107 while Sacramento scores 104.
Healthcare costs in Los Angeles (103) are lower than Sacramento (106). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Los Angeles is $65,290 compared to $64,660 in Sacramento. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Sacramento.
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