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ToolsCheapest NearSacramento

Affordable Alternatives to Sacramento

Cities ranked by lifestyle match — walkability, job market, and cost of living — not just the cheapest price tag.

COL Index127100 = US avg
1BR Rent$2,000/mo
Walk Score47/100
State Income Tax9.3%

Best overall alternatives

Ranked by lifestyle match: savings potential, walkability, and economic opportunity — not just cheapest price.

Best Match
🌊 Charleston
South Carolina, SC
24% cheaper
vs. Sacramento
COL 97
100 = US avg
1BR rent$1,900/mo
Monthly savings$100/mo
Walk score48/100
Median income$68K/yr
DetailsCompare
☕ Spokane
Washington, WA
28% cheaper
vs. Sacramento
COL 91
100 = US avg
1BR rent$1,400/mo
Monthly savings$600/mo
Walk score46/100
Median income$58K/yr
DetailsCompare
❄️ Rochester
Minnesota, MN
26% cheaper
vs. Sacramento
COL 94
100 = US avg
1BR rent$1,400/mo
Monthly savings$600/mo
Walk score38/100
Median income$72K/yr
DetailsCompare

Moving to Charleston saves you $100/mo. Put it to work while you plan.

High-yield savings accounts — top rates today

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Openbank logo
Openbank
Openbank 12-Month CD
4.45%APY
See reviewOpen account
Peak Bank logo
Peak Bank
Peak Bank 12-Month CD
4.42%APY
See reviewOpen account

Stay in California

Cheaper cities within California — same state laws, familiar surroundings.

🌴 Bakersfield
COL 97
1BR $1,300/mo
24% cheaper
🌴 Fresno
COL 99
1BR $1,450/mo
22% cheaper
🌴 Stockton
COL 100
1BR $1,500/mo
21% cheaper
🌴 Riverside
COL 117
1BR $1,750/mo
8% cheaper

Eliminate California's 9.3% state income tax

These states charge $0 in state income tax. On a $120K salary, that's $11,160/year back in your pocket — before factoring in the lower COL.

🌮 Laredo
No income tax
COL 79
1BR $950/mo
38% cheaper
🌮 El Paso
No income tax
COL 80
1BR $1,050/mo
37% cheaper
🤠 Amarillo
No income tax
COL 80
1BR $950/mo
37% cheaper
🤠 Lubbock
No income tax
COL 81
1BR $1,000/mo
36% cheaper

More monthly income deserves a card that earns it back

No-annual-fee credit cards — earn rewards on every moving expense

Chase logo
Chase
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
1.5%-5% Cash Back
$0 annual fee
See reviewApply
Citi logo
Citi
Citi Custom Cash® Card
1%-5% Cash Back
$0 annual fee
See reviewApply
☐ Compare renters insurance →☐ Auto insurance for your new state →

More affordable metros

All other established metros cheaper than Sacramento, sorted by cost of living.

🎵 Jackson, MS
COL 791BR $1,000/moSave $1,000/mo on rent38% cheaper
DetailsCompare
🎯 Springfield, MO
COL 791BR $950/moSave $1,050/mo on rent38% cheaper
DetailsCompare
⚙️ Montgomery, AL
COL 811BR $1,050/moSave $950/mo on rent36% cheaper
DetailsCompare
🎷 Shreveport, LA
COL 811BR $1,000/moSave $1,000/mo on rent36% cheaper
DetailsCompare
🌻 Toledo, OH
COL 811BR $1,050/moSave $950/mo on rent36% cheaper
DetailsCompare
🏁 Fort Wayne, IN
COL 811BR $1,000/moSave $1,000/mo on rent36% cheaper
DetailsCompare

Sacramento at a glance

127
COL index
100 = US avg
$2,000
1BR rent
per month
$480K
Home price
median
9.3%
State tax
income

Cities with similar cost of living

Portland, ORCOL: 125Miami, FLCOL: 123Austin, TXCOL: 122Denver, COCOL: 122

COL data: Numbeo, Zillow, BLS · Walk scores: Walk Score® · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only