Sacramento CA vs San Jose CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
San Jose, CA
California · Population: 990,054
- Median HH Income$141,565
- Median Home Price$1,452,609
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sacramento
524,802
San Jose
990,054
San Jose +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sacramento
N/A
San Jose
N/A
Median Age
Sacramento
35.7
Sacramento +
San Jose
38.1
Foreign Born
Sacramento
21.3%
San Jose
41.6%
San Jose +
White
Sacramento
36.8%
Sacramento +
San Jose
29.0%
Black
Sacramento
12.4%
Sacramento +
San Jose
2.9%
Asian
Sacramento
19.7%
San Jose
38.6%
San Jose +
Hispanic
Sacramento
29.5%
San Jose
30.9%
San Jose +
Spanish at Home
Sacramento
N/A
San Jose
N/A
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 524,802 | 990,054 | San Jose + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 38.1 | Sacramento + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 41.6% | San Jose + |
| White | 36.8% | 29.0% | Sacramento + |
| Black | 12.4% | 2.9% | Sacramento + |
| Asian | 19.7% | 38.6% | San Jose + |
| Hispanic | 29.5% | 30.9% | San Jose + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sacramento
$83,753
San Jose
$141,565
San Jose +
Per Capita Income
Sacramento
$42,300
San Jose
$63,253
San Jose +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sacramento
$77,230
San Jose
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Sacramento
6.2%
San Jose
4.7%
San Jose +
Poverty Rate
Sacramento
14.4%
San Jose
7.8%
San Jose +
Bachelor's Degree+
Sacramento
36.4%
San Jose
46.5%
San Jose +
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,753 | $141,565 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,300 | $63,253 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 4.7% | San Jose + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.4% | 7.8% | San Jose + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 46.5% | San Jose + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sacramento
$480,548
Sacramento +
San Jose
$1,452,609
Homeownership Rate
Sacramento
51.5%
San Jose
56.0%
San Jose +
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $480,548 | $1,452,609 | Sacramento + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 56.0% | San Jose + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sacramento
503
San Jose
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sacramento
2388
San Jose
2388
Tie
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
30.0%
San Jose
23.7%
San Jose +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
11.2%
San Jose
11.1%
San Jose +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sacramento
17.9%
San Jose
14.9%
San Jose +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
10.0%
San Jose
9.1%
San Jose +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
14.3%
San Jose
13.0%
San Jose +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
11.9%
San Jose
9.4%
San Jose +
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.0% | 23.7% | San Jose + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 11.1% | San Jose + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 14.9% | San Jose + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 9.1% | San Jose + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 13.0% | San Jose + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.4% | San Jose + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sacramento
61.0°F
Sacramento +
San Jose
61.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sacramento
18.5 in
San Jose
14.9 in
San Jose +
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0°F | 61.5°F | Sacramento + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.5 in | 14.9 in | San Jose + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
San Jose
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sacramento
75.0%
San Jose
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sacramento
27.0 min
Sacramento +
San Jose
30.4 min
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.0 min | 30.4 min | Sacramento + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Jose leads in median household income at $141,565, while sacramento offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $480,548. On public safety, San Jose is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Sacramento. San Jose has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and San Jose has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Jose scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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