Net Income
#17
of 124 cities
$98,276/yr
Current value
#26 of 124
North America
Sacramento
CA, United States
Salary & Cost of Living
How do salaries and expenses in Sacramento compare to San Francisco?
Purchasing Power Comparison
An engineer in Sacramento is 23% worse off vs in San Francisco
This shows how far a software engineer's salary goes in Sacramento compared to San Francisco, taking into account both salary differences and cost of living.
Net Salary
$98,276
-$74K (-43%) vs San Francisco
Tax Rate: 38%
Community Insights
NewSacramento has emerged as a top tier refuge for software engineers, particularly those who can work remotely for Bay Area companies. It offers a "California Lite" experience: you get the sunshine, the proximity to nature, and the diverse food culture, but at a fraction of the cost of San Francisco or San Jose. While the local tech scene is smaller—dominated by state government and healthcare roles—the city's infrastructure supports remote work well. Residents enjoy a high quality of life with more space, though they must contend with searing summer heat and seasonal air quality issues.
Resident Sentiment
Transplants from the Bay Area generally feel a sense of relief regarding their finances and living space, often citing that they can finally "breathe." However, there is a common sentiment of "cultural adjustment" regarding the slower pace and limited late-night options. Long-time residents have a love-hate relationship with the influx of tech workers, blaming them for rising prices, but everyone bonds over the shared relief of the Delta Breeze—the evening wind that cools the city down after hot days.
The Good
Rankings
Top 14%
Home Affordability
#25
of 124 cities
≈3.5 yrs to buy 80m²
Current value
Purchasing Power
#26
of 124 cities
Housing Affordability
How affordable is housing for a software engineer in Sacramento compared to San Francisco?
Salary Converter
Enter your annual gross salary (before taxes) to see what you would need to earn in Sacramento to maintain the same standard of living.
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