Sacramento CA vs Vancouver WA — 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%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sacramento
524,802
Sacramento +
Vancouver
192,696
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sacramento
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
Sacramento
35.7
Sacramento +
Vancouver
37.5
Foreign Born
Sacramento
21.3%
Sacramento +
Vancouver
13.6%
White
Sacramento
36.8%
Vancouver
70.6%
Vancouver +
Black
Sacramento
12.4%
Sacramento +
Vancouver
3.1%
Asian
Sacramento
19.7%
Sacramento +
Vancouver
5.3%
Hispanic
Sacramento
29.5%
Sacramento +
Vancouver
17.2%
Spanish at Home
Sacramento
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 524,802 | 192,696 | Sacramento + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 37.5 | Sacramento + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 13.6% | Sacramento + |
| White | 36.8% | 70.6% | Vancouver + |
| Black | 12.4% | 3.1% | Sacramento + |
| Asian | 19.7% | 5.3% | Sacramento + |
| Hispanic | 29.5% | 17.2% | Sacramento + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sacramento
$83,753
Sacramento +
Vancouver
$78,156
Per Capita Income
Sacramento
$42,300
Vancouver
$42,839
Vancouver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sacramento
$77,230
Sacramento +
Vancouver
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Sacramento
6.2%
Vancouver
5.6%
Vancouver +
Poverty Rate
Sacramento
14.4%
Vancouver
11.1%
Vancouver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Sacramento
36.4%
Sacramento +
Vancouver
31.5%
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,753 | $78,156 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,300 | $42,839 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Sacramento + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 5.6% | Vancouver + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.4% | 11.1% | Vancouver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 31.5% | Sacramento + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sacramento
$480,548
Sacramento +
Vancouver
$510,577
Homeownership Rate
Sacramento
51.5%
Sacramento +
Vancouver
49.9%
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $480,548 | $510,577 | Sacramento + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 49.9% | Sacramento + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sacramento
503
Vancouver
383
Vancouver +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sacramento
2388
Sacramento +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Vancouver + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Sacramento + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
30.0%
Sacramento +
Vancouver
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
11.2%
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sacramento
17.9%
Sacramento +
Vancouver
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
10.0%
Vancouver
9.4%
Vancouver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
14.3%
Sacramento +
Vancouver
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
11.9%
Vancouver
11.7%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.0% | 36.2% | Sacramento + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 9.9% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 19.1% | Sacramento + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 9.4% | Vancouver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.3% | Sacramento + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.7% | Vancouver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sacramento
61.0°F
Vancouver
52.1°F
Vancouver +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sacramento
18.5 in
Sacramento +
Vancouver
41.6 in
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0°F | 52.1°F | Vancouver + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.5 in | 41.6 in | Sacramento + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sacramento
75.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Vancouver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sacramento
27.0 min
Vancouver
25.1 min
Vancouver +
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.0 min | 25.1 min | Vancouver + |
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, Vancouver is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Sacramento. Vancouver has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Vancouver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sacramento scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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