New York NY vs Sacramento CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
New York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Sacramento
524,802
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New York
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
Median Age
New York
38.0
Sacramento
35.7
Sacramento +
Foreign Born
New York
36.5%
New York +
Sacramento
21.3%
White
New York
35.9%
Sacramento
36.8%
Sacramento +
Black
New York
22.7%
New York +
Sacramento
12.4%
Asian
New York
14.6%
Sacramento
19.7%
Sacramento +
Hispanic
New York
28.4%
Sacramento
29.5%
Sacramento +
Spanish at Home
New York
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
| Metric | New York, NY | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,516,202 | 524,802 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 35.7 | Sacramento + |
| Foreign Born | 36.5% | 21.3% | New York + |
| White | 35.9% | 36.8% | Sacramento + |
| Black | 22.7% | 12.4% | New York + |
| Asian | 14.6% | 19.7% | Sacramento + |
| Hispanic | 28.4% | 29.5% | Sacramento + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New York
$79,713
Sacramento
$83,753
Sacramento +
Per Capita Income
New York
$50,776
New York +
Sacramento
$42,300
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New York
$77,425
New York +
Sacramento
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
New York
7.7%
Sacramento
6.2%
Sacramento +
Poverty Rate
New York
17.4%
Sacramento
14.4%
Sacramento +
Bachelor's Degree+
New York
41.0%
New York +
Sacramento
36.4%
| Metric | New York, NY | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,713 | $83,753 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,776 | $42,300 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,230 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 6.2% | Sacramento + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 14.4% | Sacramento + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.0% | 36.4% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New York
$816,078
Sacramento
$480,548
Sacramento +
Homeownership Rate
New York
32.8%
Sacramento
51.5%
Sacramento +
| Metric | New York, NY | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $816,078 | $480,548 | Sacramento + |
| Homeownership Rate | 32.8% | 51.5% | Sacramento + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
434
New York +
Sacramento
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
1736
New York +
Sacramento
2388
| Metric | New York, NY | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 503 | New York + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2388 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
25.1%
New York +
Sacramento
30.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
11.9%
Sacramento
11.2%
Sacramento +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New York
15.4%
New York +
Sacramento
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New York
10.6%
Sacramento
10.0%
Sacramento +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New York
16.9%
Sacramento
14.3%
Sacramento +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New York
11.4%
New York +
Sacramento
11.9%
| Metric | New York, NY | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.1% | 30.0% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.2% | Sacramento + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 17.9% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.0% | Sacramento + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 14.3% | Sacramento + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.9% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
55.4°F
New York +
Sacramento
61.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
46.6 in
Sacramento
18.5 in
Sacramento +
| Metric | New York, NY | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.4°F | 61.0°F | New York + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6 in | 18.5 in | Sacramento + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New York
8.1 µg/m³
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Sacramento +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New York
75.0%
Sacramento
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New York, NY | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sacramento + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New York
44.2 min
Sacramento
27.0 min
Sacramento +
| Metric | New York, NY | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 44.2 min | 27.0 min | Sacramento + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sacramento leads in median household income at $83,753, while sacramento offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $480,548. On public safety, New York is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Sacramento. Sacramento has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Sacramento has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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