Sacramento CA vs Tampa FL — 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sacramento
524,802
Sacramento +
Tampa
393,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sacramento
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Sacramento
35.7
Tampa
35.6
Tampa +
Foreign Born
Sacramento
21.3%
Sacramento +
Tampa
19.0%
White
Sacramento
36.8%
Tampa
51.8%
Tampa +
Black
Sacramento
12.4%
Tampa
21.3%
Tampa +
Asian
Sacramento
19.7%
Sacramento +
Tampa
4.8%
Hispanic
Sacramento
29.5%
Sacramento +
Tampa
26.2%
Spanish at Home
Sacramento
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 524,802 | 393,389 | Sacramento + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 35.6 | Tampa + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 19.0% | Sacramento + |
| White | 36.8% | 51.8% | Tampa + |
| Black | 12.4% | 21.3% | Tampa + |
| Asian | 19.7% | 4.8% | Sacramento + |
| Hispanic | 29.5% | 26.2% | Sacramento + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sacramento
$83,753
Sacramento +
Tampa
$71,302
Per Capita Income
Sacramento
$42,300
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sacramento
$77,230
Sacramento +
Tampa
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Sacramento
6.2%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
Sacramento
14.4%
Sacramento +
Tampa
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sacramento
36.4%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,753 | $71,302 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,300 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Sacramento + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.4% | 15.9% | Sacramento + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sacramento
$480,548
Tampa
$376,530
Tampa +
Homeownership Rate
Sacramento
51.5%
Sacramento +
Tampa
50.2%
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $480,548 | $376,530 | Tampa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 50.2% | Sacramento + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sacramento
503
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sacramento
2388
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
30.0%
Sacramento +
Tampa
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
11.2%
Sacramento +
Tampa
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sacramento
17.9%
Tampa
17.4%
Tampa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
10.0%
Sacramento +
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
14.3%
Sacramento +
Tampa
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
11.9%
Sacramento +
Tampa
12.6%
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.0% | 31.9% | Sacramento + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.5% | Sacramento + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 17.4% | Tampa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 15.9% | Sacramento + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.7% | Sacramento + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.6% | Sacramento + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sacramento
61.0°F
Sacramento +
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sacramento
18.5 in
Sacramento +
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0°F | 73.4°F | Sacramento + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.5 in | 46.3 in | Sacramento + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sacramento
75.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sacramento
27.0 min
Tampa
26.8 min
Tampa +
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.0 min | 26.8 min | Tampa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sacramento leads in median household income at $83,753, while tampa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $376,530. On public safety, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Sacramento. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sacramento scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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