London vs Sacramento
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
London
Sacramento
The Verdict
London is 10.2% less expensive than Sacramento overall. A household earning $75,000 in London would need approximately $83,478 in Sacramento to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in London has the same purchasing power as $83,478 in Sacramento.
Conversely, $75,000 in Sacramento equals $67,383 in London.
Living in London vs Sacramento
Housing Costs
London's housing index of 162 is lower Sacramento's 163, translating to median home prices of $695,000 vs $450,000. The $245,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,924 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,400/mo in London compared to $1,700/mo in Sacramento, a monthly difference of $700.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in London and 104 in Sacramento. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in London vs $494/month in Sacramento. London offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $684/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 112 in London and 108 in Sacramento. Monthly utility bills average approximately $448 in London vs $432 in Sacramento. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 78 in London and 106 in Sacramento. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 28-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $55,000 in London and $64,660 in Sacramento. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $47,826 and $50,516 respectively. Sacramento residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,283/month to housing in London vs $1,509/month in Sacramento. In London, median rent of $2,400/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Sacramento, median rent of $1,700/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 28 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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