City vs city
Boston, MA vs Sacramento, CA
- Rent is 21% lower in Sacramento (median $1,779/mo vs $2,147/mo in Boston).
- Homes cost 45% less in Sacramento ($506k vs $732k median value).
- On a $75k salary, you'd have about $417 more a month after taxes and rent in Sacramento.
- Schools rate higher in Boston (4.6/10 vs 2.1/10).
- Boston has less violent crime (5.8 vs 7.2 per 1,000 residents; the US rate is 3.6).
- Sacramento has milder winters (49°F vs 30°F average).
- Sacramento gets more sun (265 vs 200 sunny days a year).
| Boston | Sacramento | |
|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $2,147/mo | $1,779/mo |
| Median home value | $732k | $506k |
| Median household income | $97k | $87k |
| Left each month on $75k (after taxes and rent) | $2,692 | $3,109 |
| State income tax on wages | Yes | Yes |
| School rating | 4.6/10 | 2.1/10 |
| Violent crime | 1.6× the US rate | 2.0× the US rate |
| Summer average | 82°F | 94°F |
| Winter average | 30°F | 49°F |
| Sunny days a year | 200 | 265 |
| Walk score | 83 | 48 |
| Population | 666,442 | 528,706 |
Population, income, home value and rent: U.S. Census Bureau ACS. Taxes: single filer, 2026 federal and state rates, before any city income tax. Violent crime per 1,000 residents; US rate 3.6.
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