CostIndexUSA

Harrisburg, PA vs Sacramento, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordablePA
Harrisburg
98.7
overall index
$1,400/mo rent
CA
Sacramento
106.7
overall index
$2,200/mo rent

Harrisburg is moderately cheaper than Sacramento — 8.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Harrisburg, you would need $86,500 in Sacramento. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+35.2%
Harrisburg
96.3
Sacramento
130.2
🛒 Groceries+4.5%
Harrisburg
100.7
Sacramento
105.2
🚗 Transportation+2.6%
Harrisburg
102.6
Sacramento
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+2.7%
Harrisburg
92.8
Sacramento
95.3
Utilities+40.0%
Harrisburg
108.1
Sacramento
151.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Harrisburg to see what you'd need to earn in Sacramento to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Sacramento, CA
$86,500
$6,500 more needed in Sacramento

Formula: salary × (106.7 ÷ 98.7) = salary × 1.0811. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Harrisburg, PA

Median Home Price
$298,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,400
Housing Index
96.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.7×

Sacramento, CA

Median Home Price
$566,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,200
Housing Index
130.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.4×

Sacramento has 35.2% higher housing costs compared to Harrisburg.

Income & Job Market

Harrisburg, PA

Median Household Income
$76,800
Per Capita Income
$43,800
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
Population
49,192
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareFinanceEducationManufacturing

Sacramento, CA

Median Household Income
$95,000
Per Capita Income
$54,100
Unemployment Rate
5.8%
Population
524,943
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareTechnologyEducationAgriculture

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Harrisburg, PA
4.6×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

Sacramento, CA
3.6×income-to-rent ratio

72% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.