Cost of Living in Sacramento, CA - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,281 (excluding rent), and $3,328 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $3,167 (excluding rent), and $6,360 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.82 $19.82

$14.86 $14.86

$29.72 $29.72

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$78.6 $78.6

$55.8 $55.8

$117 $117

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.45 $10.45

$8.95 $8.95

$12.93 $12.93

Cappuccino

$5.57 $5.57

$3.48 $3.48

$6.96 $6.96

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.56 $2.56

$1.97 $1.97

$3.45 $3.45

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.11 $2.11

$1.53 $1.53

$3.06 $3.06

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.91 $7.91

$4.94 $4.94

$9.89 $9.89

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.17 $8.17

$6.13 $6.13

$10.21 $10.21

Milk (1 liter)

$1.23 $1.23

$0.94 $0.94

$1.53 $1.53

White Bread (500g)

$4.31 $4.31

$2.77 $2.77

$6.09 $6.09

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.54 $5.54

$2.19 $2.19

$10.98 $10.98

Eggs

$4.49 $4.49

$2.7 $2.7

$7.93 $7.93

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.58 $15.58

$8.5 $8.5

$22.02 $22.02

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.18 $15.18

$8.84 $8.84

$22.23 $22.23

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.87 $18.87

$11.07 $11.07

$22.15 $22.15

Apples (1kg)

$5.2 $5.2

$3.18 $3.18

$6.5 $6.5

Banana (1kg)

$2.01 $2.01

$1.47 $1.47

$4.3 $4.3

Oranges (1kg)

$4.13 $4.13

$2.77 $2.77

$6.69 $6.69

Tomato (1kg)

$6.79 $6.79

$2.78 $2.78

$8.68 $8.68

Potato (1kg)

$3.61 $3.61

$1.18 $1.18

$6.46 $6.46

Onion (1kg)

$4.69 $4.69

$2.12 $2.12

$6.41 $6.41

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.7 $2.7

$1.47 $1.47

$3.14 $3.14

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.38 $2.38

$1.65 $1.65

$3.22 $3.22

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.58 $11.58

$11.08 $11.08

$15.11 $15.11

Wine (Bottle)

$15.35 $15.35

$9.84 $9.84

$19.68 $19.68

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.14 $2.14

$1.29 $1.29

$3.05 $3.05

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.82 $2.82

$1.16 $1.16

$4.86 $4.86

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.46 $2.46

$3.44 $3.44

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$102 $102

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.94 $3.94

$3.93 $3.93

$3.94 $3.94

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.82 $1.82

$1.51 $1.51

$1.82 $1.82

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$27.33 $27.33

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.26 $1.26

$1.1 $1.1

$1.43 $1.43

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$29.5K $29.5K

$23.5K $23.5K

$37.4K $37.4K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$28.5K $28.5K

$25.8K $25.8K

$35.2K $35.2K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$331 $331

$201 $201

$604 $604

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$59.9 $59.9

$40.38 $40.38

$90.9 $90.9

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$73.7 $73.7

$50.1 $50.1

$108 $108

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$45.56 $45.56

$23.28 $23.28

$85.7 $85.7

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$29.86 $29.86

Cinema Ticket

$14.24 $14.24

$12.2 $12.2

$20.34 $20.34

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,706 $1,706

$1,253 $1,253

$2,507 $2,507

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$27.3K $27.3K

$20.7K $20.7K

$29.6K $29.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$59.2 $59.2

$34.78 $34.78

$79.5 $79.5

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$65.3 $65.3

$29.44 $29.44

$102 $102

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$93.9 $93.9

$70.6 $70.6

$121 $121

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$129 $129

$91.7 $91.7

$153 $153

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,064 $2,064

$1,660 $1,660

$2,717 $2,717

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,701 $1,701

$1,504 $1,504

$2,507 $2,507

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,509 $3,509

$2,805 $2,805

$4,509 $4,509

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,847 $2,847

$2,374 $2,374

$3,956 $3,956

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,749 $4,749

$4,039 $4,039

$6,959 $6,959

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,787 $3,787

$3,585 $3,585

$4,970 $4,970

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,428 $4,428

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.57

7.05

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: December 1, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Sacramento, CA - Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sacramento a good value overall for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and how does it compare to other California cities? The Cost of Living in Sacramento, CA, United States sits in a comfortable middle ground for the region, offering more affordability than coastal hubs while delivering solid city perks like reliable healthcare, good weather, and decent amenities. You will often find sensible housing options in many neighborhoods, with Midtown and pocketed districts offering walkable streets, cafes, and coworking spaces without the burden of premium rents seen elsewhere. On balance, you gain access to a high quality of life with manageable living costs. Tip: Plan a trial week to gauge daily expenses and commute times.

Daily life centers on accessible neighborhoods with walkable cores and growing bike routes. For housing, explore Midtown, Downtown, and East Sacramento to balance price, safety, and access; outer pockets offer quieter streets and more space. Food options range from farmers markets to diverse cuisines and reliable grocery stores. Transport is practical: light rail connects riverfront districts, with bike lanes and regional buses to widen your options. For work, consider coworking spaces and cafes that fit short bursts of focus and quick meetings. Sacramento, CA, United States living cost varies by area, so test options before committing. Tip: Use a week-long reconnaissance walk to compare neighborhoods and grocery runs.

Quality of life here blends sunshine, river access, and a lively urban scene with calmer residential pockets. Build a budgeting framework around housing, utilities, transport, and occasional travel; globally, you will save more by choosing a smaller apartment or a neighborhood a short transit ride from work. Use seasonality to plan wardrobe and energy use – hot summers invite cooling costs; shoulder seasons ease dining and outdoor activities. Favor neighborhoods with parks, school zones if relevant, and nearby services. Tip: Create a simple escape plan for heat waves and a flexible weekly routine that balances work, errands, and exploration.