Living in Sacramento, CA
Sacramento is the 35th-largest city in the US, home to about 536,000 people in 2025 and the capital of California. It has grown 2.2% since 2020. Prices across the metro area run above the national average (106.7 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 536,449+2.2% since 2020
- Median home value
- $506,3005.8 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,779/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $87,321median, per year
- Price level
- 106.7US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 57° / 94°lows 41° / 61°
- Average commute
- 25 min20% work from home
- State income tax
- 13.3%top rate, graduated
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County: Sacramento County
Time zone: Pacific Time (UTC-8, UTC-7 in summer)
Elevation: about 30 ft
Metro area: Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA
Cost of living in Sacramento
The median home in Sacramento is worth $506,300 and the median household earns $87,321 a year, so a typical home costs about 5.8 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,779 a month, about 24% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA metro area at 106.7, with housing at 130.2 and goods at 105.2 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $80,000 here. California taxes wages at a top rate of 13.3%. The average combined state and local sales tax in California is 9.03%.
What would my salary be worth in Sacramento?
Sacramento weather
Average highs run from 56°F in January to 94°F in July, and January nights average 41°F. It gets 19 inches of rain and melted snow a year, with almost no snow. Expect about 90 days a year at 90°F or hotter. The most comfortable months are February to May and October to November.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Sacramento
People and work
The median resident is 36.0 years old, and 37% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 52% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 25 minutes; 20% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 36.0240th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 37%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 52%of households
- People per sq mile
- 5,43898.6 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 2%3% walk, 1.3% bike
- Unemployment
- 6.6%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 13.9%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1977median year
Who moves to Sacramento, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Los Angeles (Los Angeles County), San Francisco (San Francisco County) and San Diego (San Diego County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Los Angeles (Los Angeles County), San Diego (San Diego County) and Las Vegas (Clark County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively High
FEMA rating for Sacramento County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: inland flooding, earthquake, drought.
Home prices
+0.1% in a year
Up 20% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
35% good days
5 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Sacramento
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- Sutter Health Park in Sacramento
- University of California-Davis 14 miles
- American River College 9 miles
- Sacramento City College 3 miles
- Cosumnes River College 10 miles
- Sierra College 21 miles
- Folsom Lake College 21 miles
- Woodland Community College 14 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Sacramento
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Sacramento International Airport SMF | 9 mi | 6,679,426 |
| Stockton Metropolitan Airport SCK | 49 mi | 63,668 |
| Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport OAK | 71 mi | 5,292,736 |
| Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport STS | 71 mi | 382,556 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Sacramento
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of California-Davis | 14 mi | 32,253 | $14,318 | 86% |
| California State University-Sacramento | 4 mi | 28,350 | $11,186 | 54% |
| American River College | 9 mi | 25,621 | $5,730 | 39% |
| Sacramento City College | 3 mi | 17,657 | $5,713 | 34% |
| Sierra College | 21 mi | 14,122 | $27,774 | 44% |
| Cosumnes River College | 10 mi | 14,023 | $3,676 | 43% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in Sacramento
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before January 12, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around December 1 and the first frost comes around December 16.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Sacramento 5 ESE, CA, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Sacramento.
Wildfire smoke in Sacramento
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Sacramento on about 58 days a year, including about 15 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Sacramento
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 200,321 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Sacramento
Downtown Sacramento is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sacramento City Unified School District | K to 12 | 37,913 | 73 | 22.0 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Elk Grove Unified School District (63,421 students), San Juan Unified School District (39,446 students), Twin Rivers Unified School District (24,849 students), Folsom-Cordova Unified School District (21,780 students), Natomas Unified School District (14,923 students), Woodland Joint Unified School District (9,355 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Sacramento's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Sacramento's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Perris, CA78% matchCompare
- Moreno Valley, CA76% matchCompare
- Menifee, CA75% matchCompare
- Lake Elsinore, CA74% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Ski resorts near Sacramento
- Kirkwood Mountain Resort 77 miles
- Sierra-at-Tahoe 78 miles
- Royal Gorge Cross Country Ski Resort 78 miles
- Palisades Tahoe 78 miles
Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.
Pros and cons of living in Sacramento
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Nothing stands out in the data. Locals, what do you love about Sacramento?
Cons
- Data California's top income tax rate is 13.3%, among the highest in the country.
- Data Sales tax is high: 9.03% on average with local taxes.
- Data Summers are long and hot: about 90 days a year reach 90°F.
Sacramento report card from locals
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Sacramento through locals' eyes
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Cities near Sacramento
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rancho Cordova, CA | 12 mi | 87,554 | $477,600 | 106.7 | Compare |
| Elk Grove, CA | 13 mi | 185,007 | $630,100 | 106.7 | Compare |
| Citrus Heights, CA | 14 mi | 86,348 | $454,600 | 106.7 | Compare |
| Roseville, CA | 17 mi | 167,302 | $661,400 | 106.7 | Compare |
| Folsom, CA | 20 mi | 91,983 | $755,200 | 106.7 | Compare |
| Rocklin, CA | 21 mi | 76,821 | $703,400 | 106.7 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Looking at the suburbs? Folsom, Granite Bay and Rocklin lead our ranking of the best suburbs of Sacramento.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Sacramento with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Sacramento a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show 6 comfortable months a year; the trade-offs are 90 days a year at 90°F or hotter. Compare Sacramento side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Sacramento?
The Census Bureau estimates Sacramento had 536,449 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 524,907 in April 2020 (+2.2%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Sacramento?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $80,000 in the Sacramento area. The median household here earns $87,321.
When is the best time to visit Sacramento?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, February to May and October to November are the most comfortable months. July averages 94°F and January 56°F for daytime highs.
What county is Sacramento in?
Sacramento is in Sacramento County, California. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Sacramento in?
Sacramento is on Pacific Time (UTC-8, or UTC-7 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Sacramento?
About 30 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does California have a state income tax?
Yes. California has a graduated income tax with a top rate of 13.3% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Sacramento. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Sacramento 5 ESE, CA station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.