CostIndexUSA

Anchorage, AK vs Sacramento, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableAK
Anchorage
105.4
overall index
$1,700/mo rent
CA
Sacramento
106.7
overall index
$2,200/mo rent

Anchorage is slightly cheaper than Sacramento — 1.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Anchorage, you would need $81,000 in Sacramento. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+18.5%
Anchorage
109.9
Sacramento
130.2
🛒 Groceries2.0%
Anchorage
107.3
Sacramento
105.2
🚗 Transportation2.9%
Anchorage
108.5
Sacramento
105.3
🏥 Healthcare3.0%
Anchorage
98.2
Sacramento
95.3
Utilities+35.3%
Anchorage
111.8
Sacramento
151.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Anchorage to see what you'd need to earn in Sacramento to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Sacramento, CA
$81,000
$1,000 more needed in Sacramento

Formula: salary × (106.7 ÷ 105.4) = salary × 1.0123. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Anchorage, AK

Median Home Price
$403,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,700
Housing Index
109.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.8×

Sacramento, CA

Median Home Price
$566,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,200
Housing Index
130.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.4×

Sacramento has 18.5% higher housing costs compared to Anchorage.

Income & Job Market

Anchorage, AK

Median Household Income
$94,200
Per Capita Income
$53,700
Unemployment Rate
3.7%
Population
291,538
Top Industries
GovernmentMilitaryTourismHealthcareEnergy

Sacramento, CA

Median Household Income
$95,000
Per Capita Income
$54,100
Unemployment Rate
5.8%
Population
524,943
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareTechnologyEducationAgriculture

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Anchorage, AK
4.6×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

Sacramento, CA
3.6×income-to-rent ratio

72% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.