CostIndexUSA

Phoenix, AZ vs Sacramento, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableAZ
Phoenix
103.3
overall index
$1,725/mo rent
CA
Sacramento
106.7
overall index
$2,200/mo rent

Phoenix is slightly cheaper than Sacramento — 3.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Phoenix, you would need $82,600 in Sacramento. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+7.4%
Phoenix
121.2
Sacramento
130.2
🛒 Groceries+10.7%
Phoenix
95
Sacramento
105.2
🚗 Transportation3.6%
Phoenix
109.2
Sacramento
105.3
🏥 Healthcare3.5%
Phoenix
98.8
Sacramento
95.3
Utilities+62.2%
Phoenix
93.3
Sacramento
151.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Sacramento, CA
$82,600
$2,600 more needed in Sacramento

Formula: salary × (106.7 ÷ 103.3) = salary × 1.0329. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Phoenix, AZ

Median Home Price
$442,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,725
Housing Index
121.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.4×

Sacramento, CA

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

Sacramento has 7.4% higher housing costs compared to Phoenix.

Income & Job Market

Phoenix, AZ

Median Household Income
$85,700
Per Capita Income
$48,800
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
1,608,139
Top Industries
TechnologyHealthcareReal EstateTourismFinance

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).

Phoenix, AZ
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.