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Retirement community in Sacramento, California

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Sacramento, California Retirement Guide

34

Retirement Score

Sacramento, California at a Glance

Median Home Price
$520,200
State Income Tax
State income tax; Social Security fully exempt; pension and retirement income generally taxable.
Avg January Low
39.2°F
Cost of Living Index
112.6 (US avg = 100)
RetireCityIQ Score
34 / 100

Overview

Explore the key retirement factors for Sacramento, California, including cost of living, taxes, healthcare quality, and climate data.

Cost of Living

Affordability Metrics

Cost of Living Index
112.6 (U.S. avg = 100)Low confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated May 2026
Median Household Income
$78,954High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

Sacramento's cost of living is 12.599999999999994% above the national average. For a detailed breakdown of expenses, see our cost of living methodology.

Housing

Real Estate & Housing

Median Home Price
$520,200High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 1-Year · Updated October 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$1,650High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 1-Year · Updated October 2026
Owner-Occupied Housing
50.7%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)

Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Sacramento using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.

Estimated monthly carrying cost

$1,127

Stress-case monthly carrying cost

$1,266

Median home price used: $520,200

Median rent reference: $1,650 / month

Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.

Budget validation

Calculate if your savings last in this city

Use RetireFree to test whether your portfolio can support retirement in Sacramento, California after local housing costs, taxes, healthcare, inflation, and withdrawal timing.

Open the RetireFree Calculator →

Healthcare

Access & Quality

Healthcare Access Score
22.5 / 100High confidence
CMS Hospital General Information · Updated October 2026
Care Access (Proxy)
22.5 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026
Aging-in-Place Score
40.2 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026

Quality of care and specialist availability are critical for a successful retirement. Sacramento scores 22.5 out of 100 for healthcare access.

Care planning link

Find local assisted living in Sacramento

If your city research includes aging parents, future care needs, or a move closer to family, compare local care options alongside housing and healthcare access.

Assisted living in Sacramento →

Taxes

State Tax Climate

Retirement Tax Score
30 / 100High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated October 2026
Tax Details
State income tax; Social Security fully exempt; pension and retirement income generally taxable.High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated October 2026

California has a tax environment that is moderate for retirees.

Climate

Weather & Environment

Avg July High
97.8°FHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated October 2026
Avg January Low
39.2°FHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated October 2026
Annual Precipitation
24.7"High confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated October 2026
Sunny Days / Year
326 daysHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated October 2026

With 326 sunny days a year and an average January low of 39.2°F, Sacramento offers a traditional winter climate.

Safety & Walkability

Community Safety

Safety Score
64.6 / 100Low confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated June 2026

Walkability

Walk Score (proxy)
29.5 / 100Low confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
7.5 / 100Low confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026

Demographics

Population Profile

Population
523,600High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Median Age
35.2High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Age 65+
13.8%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Veterans
5.0%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
35.8%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

Diversity Breakdown

White
39.3%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Black
12.6%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Hispanic/Latino
29.4%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Asian
19.5%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

Frequently asked questions about retiring in Sacramento

What is the cost of living in Sacramento, California for retirees?▾

The cost-of-living index is 113, roughly 13% above the national average of 100. Median home price is around $520,200.

Does California tax Social Security or retirement income?▾

For California residents: State income tax; Social Security fully exempt; pension and retirement income generally taxable.

What is the climate like in Sacramento, California?▾

Sacramento, California has January average low around 39°F, July average high around 98°F. Climate normals are based on 30-year averages from NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information.

What is healthcare access like in Sacramento, California?▾

Sacramento scores 23/100 on the RetireCityIQ healthcare access index — a limited score. The index combines CMS hospital quality ratings, Medicare Advantage plan availability, and hospitals per 100,000 residents (KFF + CMS data).

Local Professionals

Financial Advisors

AVISEN ADVISORS, LLC

Financial Advisor

AVISEN ADVISORS, LLC

Financial Advisor

DECAMILLA CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC

Financial Advisor

+56 more financial advisors available

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