Sacramento, California
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Sacramento.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Sacramento?
Sacramento planning snapshot: population 535,798, housing index 143 (well above the U.S. housing-cost baseline), median home $484,600, median rent $1,694, and income near $83,753. Expect 92°F summer highs, 42°F winter lows, and about 27-minute one-way commutes. Violent-offense rates run about 627.1 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 143U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $484,600U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,694U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $83,753U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 5.1%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 27 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 627.1per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 92°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Sacramento compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 535,798City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $83,753Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year7% above U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 143ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year43% above U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $484,600City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year60% above U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,694City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year26% above U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 5.1%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 27 min8% above U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 499% above U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 627.1annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)7% above U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 3182.1annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)Near U.S. avg (3087.9)U.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 92°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals5.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 42°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals8.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 19.2 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals42% below U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 304As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals13% above U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
Sacramento grew 14.7% from 467,286 in 2010 to 535,798 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Sacramento expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, Sacramento runs 43 points higher on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 143 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $484,600 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,694 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Sacramento?
Budget first around $1,694/month rent or $484,600 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $484,600
- Median rent $1,694/month
- Median household income $83,753
What is the job market like in Sacramento?
Labor-market context for Sacramento: unemployment 5.1% and median income $83,753. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 5.1% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $83,753
How long is the typical commute in Sacramento?
Plan on roughly 27 minutes each way in Sacramento. Walk Score estimates around 49 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 27 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 49/100
Is Sacramento safer than similar U.S. cities?
Sacramento's FBI-derived violent rate (~627.1/100k) sits at or above the average of mapped MapsToIt cities. Use the figure as a screening signal, then verify the blocks you would actually live on.
- Violent 627.1 per 100k
- Property 3182.1 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Sacramento?
Sacramento's climate profile: 92°F summer peaks, 42°F winter mornings, 19.2" annual rainfall, and 304 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 92°F
- Winter low 42°F
- 19.2 in rain · 304 sunny days
Pacific weather, wildfire seasons, and housing scarcity dominate relocation tradeoffs. Roughly 304 sunny days a year give outdoor routines unusual calendar reliability. Average one-way commute time is about 27 minutes, and Walk Score estimates land around 49/100. Labor-market readings near 5.1% unemployment are neither boom nor bust by national standards. Violent-offense rates near 627.1 per 100k sit in a mid-to-elevated band versus many peer cities in this catalog.
Relocators eyeing Sacramento, California will find roughly 535,798 residents within city limits. With median income around $83,753 and a cost index of 143, the market reads well above the national housing-cost baseline. Budget for median rents around $1,694 a month before you lock a neighborhood.
Sacramento sits in that mid-to-large city band where urban and quieter residential pockets often share one municipal boundary. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Sacramento with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Sacramento city, 1600000US0664000) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Sacramento County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00023271 SACRAMENTO 5 ESE) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10