Philadelphia PA 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)
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
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
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Sacramento
524,802
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Philadelphia
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
Median Age
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Sacramento
35.7
Foreign Born
Philadelphia
14.6%
Sacramento
21.3%
Sacramento +
White
Philadelphia
36.1%
Sacramento
36.8%
Sacramento +
Black
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Sacramento
12.4%
Asian
Philadelphia
7.8%
Sacramento
19.7%
Sacramento +
Hispanic
Philadelphia
15.2%
Sacramento
29.5%
Sacramento +
Spanish at Home
Philadelphia
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,582,432 | 524,802 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.7 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 14.6% | 21.3% | Sacramento + |
| White | 36.1% | 36.8% | Sacramento + |
| Black | 39.9% | 12.4% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 19.7% | Sacramento + |
| Hispanic | 15.2% | 29.5% | Sacramento + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Philadelphia
$60,698
Sacramento
$83,753
Sacramento +
Per Capita Income
Philadelphia
$37,669
Sacramento
$42,300
Sacramento +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Philadelphia
$65,080
Sacramento
$77,230
Sacramento +
Unemployment Rate
Philadelphia
8.4%
Sacramento
6.2%
Sacramento +
Poverty Rate
Philadelphia
22.0%
Sacramento
14.4%
Sacramento +
Bachelor's Degree+
Philadelphia
34.6%
Sacramento
36.4%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,698 | $83,753 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,669 | $42,300 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $77,230 | Sacramento + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.4% | 6.2% | Sacramento + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 14.4% | Sacramento + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.6% | 36.4% | Sacramento + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Sacramento
$480,548
Homeownership Rate
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
Sacramento
51.5%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $233,814 | $480,548 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.3% | 51.5% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Sacramento
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
Sacramento
2388
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 503 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 2388 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Sacramento
30.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Sacramento
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Philadelphia
N/A
Sacramento
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Sacramento
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Sacramento
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Sacramento
11.9%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 30.0% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.9% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
Sacramento
61.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Sacramento
18.5 in
Sacramento +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.1°F | 61.0°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5 in | 18.5 in | Sacramento + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Sacramento +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Philadelphia
55.0%
Sacramento
75.0%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sacramento + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sacramento + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Philadelphia
34.5 min
Sacramento
27.0 min
Sacramento +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.5 min | 27.0 min | Sacramento + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sacramento leads in median household income at $83,753, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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).
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