Sacramento, or “Sactown" as the locals call it, is the capital of California. Home to more than 500,000 people, Sacramento is a city full of life. Home to the original Pony Express, Sacramento was a central city during the California Gold Rush.
Sacramento enjoys a Mediterranean climate, meaning it's usually very mild with lots of sunshine, but sometimes, the temperature can hit record highs of 115 degrees. Sacramento has a variety of activities for residents to do. From professional sports teams to the opera and ballet, there's plenty of entertainment to enjoy. It's also called the “Camellia capital of the world" for all the flowers that bloom there.
Because it's such a bustling, lively city with so many things to do, Sacramento's cost of living is pricier than some other areas in the United States.
California is notorious for its expensive cost of living. In fact, several California cities top the charts as the most expensive in the nation. The average rent in Sacramento is $2,064 for a one-bedroom apartment, which is a 21.88 percent increase year-over-year.
The average rent in Sacramento is more expensive than the national average, which is about $1,600 for a one-bedroom apartment. So, if you're looking to live here, understand that Sacramento's cost of living is more expensive than other places in the United States.
If you're looking to live in Sacramento and the average rent prices seem doable, let's look into some more details about how much you need to earn to live comfortably in the City of Trees.
The average rent in Sacramento is $2,064 for a one-bedroom apartment. But you'll need to make enough money to cover all your expenses and have enough left over to save money, too.
Financial experts recommend spending 30 percent of your pre-tax salary on housing. If the average rent in Sacramento will cost you more than 30 percent of your income, you may want to consider a different neighborhood or apartment complex because it'll cut into your budget too much to stay comfortable.
To live comfortably in Sacramento, you'll need to make at least $82,560 per year. Each year, you'll spend an average of $24,768 on rent (based on the average rent price), which is 30 percent of the income listed above.
Can you afford to live in a Sacramento neighborhood? Check out this calculator to make sure you're budgeting correctly for rent and the cost of living in Sacramento.
When you're looking for a new apartment to rent, the monthly rent is the first thing you usually look into. But the cost of living includes much more than just rent. The average cost of rent in Sacrament is $2,064 for a one-bedroom apartment and the overall cost of living is 23.4 percent more expensive compared to the national average.
You need to consider the cost of rent, utilities, groceries, healthcare and transportation among other things. Below are some data points that show how Sacramento's cost of living compares to the national average. Hint: it's more expensive in every category.
In any city, you can find a range of rent prices from most to least expensive. For instance, rent prices in Sacramento can range from as little as $1,300 a month to more than $3,000 a month for a one-bedroom apartment.
Generally, neighborhoods that are in or near the heart of Sactown or located close to the Sacramento River are more expensive. That's because they're highly desirable and close to the city center. Neighborhoods that are further from the city center, like those to the east or west, have cheaper rent.
The most expensive neighborhoods in Sacramento are all located relatively close to downtown, driving the rent prices up. However, most of the top 10 most expensive Sacramento neighborhoods have actually seen a downward trend in rent prices year-over-year.
Sacramento has a variety of places to live, and the most expensive neighborhoods all have large parks, lots of restaurants, bars and shops that are close to downtown. While rent is pricier, you'll enjoy endless things to do.
| Rank | Neighborhood | Average 1-BR Rent Price | YoY Rent Price Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boulevard Park | $3,052 | N/A |
| 2 | North Laguna Creek | $2,612 | -5.42% |
| 3 | Alhambra Triangle | $2,503 | -8.81% |
| 4 | Central Sacramento | $2,451 | 12.57% |
| 5 | Midtown | $2,438 | -10.49% |
| 6 | Capitol Park | $2,403 | 0.95% |
| 7 | Elmhurst | $2,227 | -3.12% |
| 8 | Southeastern Sacramento | $2,046 | 7.69% |
| 9 | Sundance Lake | $1,986 | -0.82% |
| 10 | Lake Crest Village | $1,920 | 4.30% |
If you want to live in Sacramento but need a more affordable place to rent, there are several neighborhoods that are good options for you. The least expensive cities have more of a suburban vibe, hence the lower rent prices. While you'll be living in a more residential area with less of a metro or urban vibe, you'll still be close to downtown Sacramento with all its perks and features. Plus, you'll save in rent each month.
| Rank | Neighborhood | Average 1-BR Rent Price | YoY Rent Price Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Natomas | $1,355 | -1.21% |
| 2 | College - Glen | $1,363 | 8.78% |
| 3 | Greenhaven | $1,427 | -1.47% |
| 4 | Alkali Flat | $1,536 | N/A |
| 5 | North Sacramento | $1,593 | -3.68% |
| 6 | Natomas Park | $1,603 | 1.64% |
| 7 | Valley Hi - North Laguna | $1,611 | -28.15% |
| 8 | Riverlake | $1,625 | 0.00% |
| 9 | Southwestern Sacramento | $1,702 | -9.14% |
| 10 | Natomas Crossing | $1,743 | 0.00% |
Sacramento is more than just the most and least expensive neighborhoods. There are several other areas within the city where you can rent. Check out all of the Sacramento areas and their average rent prices in the chart below.
| Neighborhood | Average 1-BR Rent Price | YoY Rent Price Change |
|---|---|---|
| Alhambra Triangle | $2,503 | -8.81% |
| Alkali Flat | $1,536 | N/A |
| Boulevard Park | $3,052 | N/A |
| Capitol Park | $2,403 | 0.95% |
| Central Sacramento | $2,451 | 12.57% |
| College - Glen | $1,363 | 8.78% |
| Creekside | $1,800 | 2.09% |
| Downtown | $1,764 | -10.07% |
| Elmhurst | $2,227 | -3.12% |
| Greenhaven | $1,427 | -1.47% |
| Lake Crest Village | $1,920 | 4.30% |
| Midtown | $2,438 | -10.49% |
| Natomas Crossing | $1,743 | 0.00% |
| Natomas Park | $1,603 | 1.64% |
| North Laguna Creek | $2,612 | -5.42% |
| North Sacramento | $1,593 | -3.68% |
| $1,827 | 1.44% | |
| Riverlake | $1,625 | 0.00% |
| South Natomas | $1,355 | -1.21% |
| Southeastern Sacramento | $2,046 | 7.69% |
| Southwestern Sacramento | $1,702 | -9.14% |
| Sundance Lake | $1,986 | -0.82% |
| Valley Hi - North Laguna | $1,611 | -28.15% |
| Village 5 | $1,812 | -9.21% |
Sacramento, the capital of California, is a great place to call home. Now it's time to find an affordable apartment in the perfect neighborhood in Sacramento that fits your needs. You can check out available apartments for rent, or if you're looking for something more permanent, homes to buy in the city.
Sage Singleton is a writer from Salt Lake City with a passion for literature and words. She enjoys writing articles that will inspire, educate and influence readers. She loves that words have the power to create change and make a positive impact in the world. Some of her work has been featured on LendingTree, Venture Beat, Architectural Digest, Porch.com and Homes.com. In her free time, Sage loves traveling, reading and learning French.