Philadelphia vs Sacramento: cost of living compared
Sacramento is 14% more expensive than Philadelphia overall. State income tax tops out around 3.07% in PA vs 9.3% in CA.
Indexes use a US average of 100: below 100 is cheaper than the national average. Housing and transportation are derived from median home prices, rents and commute times; figures come from BLS, Census ACS, Numbeo and the MIT Living Wage Calculator.
The big picture
Overall, the cost of living in Sacramento is noticeably higher than in Philadelphia. This difference is primarily driven by housing expenses, which are significantly greater in the California capital. While some categories like transportation are roughly similar or even slightly more expensive in Philadelphia, the cumulative effect of higher costs in Sacramento makes it a more expensive place to live across the board.
Housing
Housing costs present a much bigger gap between these two cities. Both median home prices and typical one-bedroom rents are considerably higher in Sacramento. Philadelphia offers a wider array of historic housing stock, including rowhouses, while Sacramento features more modern, sprawling developments. Property taxes and insurance costs can also vary, impacting the total cost of homeownership in each location.
Taxes and everyday costs
Daily expenses for food, healthcare, and miscellaneous goods are somewhat higher in Sacramento, though healthcare costs are roughly similar. Utilities are noticeably more expensive in Sacramento. A major difference impacting disposable income is state income tax, which is substantially higher in California, meaning a larger portion of earnings goes to state taxes in Sacramento.
Lifestyle trade-offs
Philadelphia experiences distinct four-season weather, with cold winters and humid summers, while Sacramento has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Philadelphia's dense, walkable core and extensive public transit offer a different pace than Sacramento's more car-dependent layout, though both have significant urban areas. Commute times are generally comparable, but the nature of travel differs.
Bottom line
Moving from Philadelphia to Sacramento would generally mean facing a substantially higher cost of living, predominantly due to the significant difference in housing prices and state income taxes. While some daily expenses are only slightly higher in Sacramento, the combined impact on a household budget is substantial. Philadelphia offers a more budget-friendly environment for most expenses, especially housing.
| Measure | Philadelphia, PA | Sacramento, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Overall cost of living (US avg = 100) | 112 | 128 |
| Housing index | 91 | 132 |
| Transportation index | 120 | 110 |
| Food index | 105 | 108 |
| Healthcare index | 108 | 108 |
| Utilities index | 105 | 125 |
| Misc index | 102 | 105 |
| Median home price | $298,000 | $498,000 |
| Median 1-bedroom rent | $1,550/mo | $1,750/mo |
| Average commute | 34 min | 30 min |
Compare any two metros with the free cost of living tool, or see the true monthly cost of a specific Sacramento home with the True Cost Calculator.