Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
14% cheaper
Sacramento is 14% more affordable than Boulder. A $75,000 salary in Boulder is equivalent to $64,865 in Sacramento.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Colorado salaries · California salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Boulder has a housing index of 230 while Sacramento sits at 163 (national average = 100). The median home in Boulder costs $750,000 compared to $450,000 in Sacramento, a difference of $300,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $2,300 in Boulder versus $1,700 in Sacramento.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Boulder scores 107 while Sacramento scores 104.
Healthcare costs in Boulder (104) are lower than Sacramento (106). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Boulder is $73,123 compared to $64,660 in Sacramento. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Sacramento.
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